Richard Attwood at 85: The British Racing Legend Behind Porsche’s First Le Mans Triumph
Fifty-five years ago, British-born Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann secured Porsche’s first of 19 overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. On 4 April 2025, Attwood will celebrate his 85th birthday.
Attwood’s career exemplifies speed, precision and an enduring passion for endurance racing. “We send Richard Attwood our warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks for his commitment to the Porsche marque,” says Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development. “His 1970 Le Mans win placed him in motorsport history. His precise driving style, strategic mindset and technical expertise rank him among our most exceptional drivers.”
Attwood was born on 4 April 1940 in Wolverhampton, UK, to parents who ran a car dealership. Their business ignited his enthusiasm for motorsport, and by the age of 19, he was already competing in races—first with touring cars and later in GT cars. In 1965, he made his Formula 1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix. By 1969, he had driven for BRM, Lotus and Williams.
In 1967, he experienced his first taste of Porsche machinery when he partnered with William Bradley in a privately entered Porsche 906 Carrera 6, finishing second at Zeltweg. Starting in 1969, Attwood officially represented Porsche as a works driver. He rapidly gained a reputation as a reliable and precise competitor. Driving the Porsche 908/02 Spyder, he contested numerous World Championship for Makes events. Notably, he clinched victory at the 1000-km race at the Österreichring (Zeltweg) in 1969, a key milestone in his racing life.
The year 1970 brought the pinnacle of his success. Attwood teamed up with Hans Herrmann in a Porsche 908/03 Spyder for the 1,000-km race at the Nürburgring, where they finished second. This result was a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans weeks later.
Behind the Porsche 917 KH wheel, Attwood and Herrmann faced fierce competition from Ferrari, Matra and Alfa Romeo. Rain-lashed conditions made the 13.5-km circuit even more challenging. With strategic finesse and faultless driving, they guided their number 23 Porsche across the finish line on 14 June 1970 at 4 pm, covering 343 laps and precisely 4,607.811 km. Their achievement delivered Porsche its first outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, setting the stage for a record 19 overall wins—an unrivalled mark in Le Mans history.
Just one year after this monumental success, in 1971, Attwood stepped away from competitive motorsport at the age of 31. His legacy is a cornerstone of Porsche’s racing heritage and a defining figure in British motorsport history.
