Derek Bell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bell's journey to Le Mans glory began in 1970 with a works drive for Ferrari, driving the 512 alongside Nino Vaccarella. That same year, he narrowly escaped disaster during the filming of the movie 'Le Mans,' where his Ferrari 512 caught fire while positioning for a take; he exited just before the car was engulfed in flames, suffering only minor burns. His first victory arrived five years later in 1975, teaming with Jacky Ickx in a Gulf Mirage GR8. He reunited with Ickx for his second win in 1981, this time in a Porsche 936, and secured a third in 1982 driving a Rothmans Porsche 956. The late 1980s saw him dominate again, winning back-to-back titles in 1986 and 1987 alongside Hans-Joachim Stuck and Al Holbert in the Rothmans Porsche 962. His final race in 1995 with a McLaren F1 GTR capped a career that included many memorable moments, though the 246 mph top speed record on the Mulsanne Straight during the 1971 test day belongs to Pedro Rodríguez in a Porsche 917LH, not Bell.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere of the 1970s and 80s defined Bell's era. In 1975, he and Jacky Ickx navigated the Gulf Mirage GR8 to victory, establishing a partnership that would reunite in 1981 with the Porsche 936. By 1982, the Rothmans livery adorned the Porsche 956, securing another triumph for Bell. The late 80s brought his most dominant period; teaming with Stuck and Holbert, he piloted the Porsche 962 to consecutive wins in 1986 and 1987. Beyond the wins, Bell experienced the highs and lows of endurance racing firsthand. In 1969, he raced the four-wheel-drive McLaren M9A in its only ever race at the British Grand Prix. Later, his proudest moment came not from a win, but a third-place finish with his son Justin in the Harrods-sponsored McLaren F1 GTR on Father's Day in 1995. Even in 2012, he returned to Le Mans after a 20-year hiatus to race a Porsche 962 in the Group C support race, proving his enduring connection to the track.

Reader's Guide

Derek Bell's record at Le Mans is defined by five victories: 1975 (with Jacky Ickx, Gulf Mirage GR8), 1981 (with Jacky Ickx, Porsche 936), 1982 (Rothmans Porsche 956), and 1986/1987 (with Hans-Joachim Stuck and Al Holbert, Rothmans Porsche 962). His career at the circuit began in 1970 with a works Ferrari 512 ride alongside Ronnie Peterson and concluded in 1996 driving a McLaren F1 GTR. A key highlight of his speed was recorded during the April test day of the 1971 race, where he reached a calculated top speed of 246 mph on the Mulsanne Straight in the JW Gulf Porsche 917LH. Bell is one of only two drivers to win the Spa 1000km on both the original and current circuits, the other being Jacky Ickx. His longevity was recognized with his induction into the Le Mans 24 Hours Drivers Hall of Fame in 2013.

Did You Know?

• The 246 mph top speed record on the Mulsanne Straight during the 1971 test day was set by Pedro Rodríguez in a Porsche 917LH, not by Derek Bell.
• During the filming of the movie 'Le Mans' in 1970, Bell had a lucky escape when his Ferrari 512 caught fire; he exited just before it was engulfed in flames and suffered only minor burns.
• Bell considers his third-place finish with his son Justin in the Harrods-sponsored McLaren F1 GTR at Le Mans on Father's Day in 1995 to be his proudest moment, aside from his five wins.
• All of Bell's Spa 1000km wins occurred on the post-1979 circuit, meaning he never won on the original layout.
• Bell returned to Le Mans in 2012 to race a Porsche 962 for the first time in 20 years during a Group C support race.