5-time Le Mans overall winner
Derek Bell is coming to the Grand Meeting
The next international racing legend has been confirmed, and we are thrilled to announce that we are continuing the lineup of legendary Le Mans winners for the 2026 Grand Meeting—and making it even more star-studded! Racing fans everywhere are over the moon.
The next international racing legend has been confirmed, and we are thrilled to announce that we are continuing the lineup of legendary Le Mans winners for the 2026 Grand Meeting—and making it even more star-studded! Racing fans everywhere are over the moon.
Derek Bell will be attending the Grand Meeting
from July 31 to August 2, 2026
Alongside Hans-Joachim Stuck (with two Le Mans victories) and Jacky Ickx (with a total of six Le Mans victories), Derek Bell boasts an impressive racing record in his motorsports career, with a total of five Le Mans victories.
Derek Reginald Bell began his career in 1964 driving a Lotus Seven, and by 1965 he was already competing in the British Formula 3 Championship. In 1968, he made his debut in the European Formula 2 Championship in a Brabham BT23. Bell drove so brilliantly that the Ferrari team management took notice of him, and he was offered a factory contract that led him to Formula 1.
He had a highly successful run in the European Championship in 1968 and 1969 driving the Ferrari Dino 166 F2; in 1968, he made his debut at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, driving the 312 F1. Finally, in 1970, he drove for the Surtees F1 Team.
Alongside his Formula racing career, Bell had been competing in sports car races since the late 1960s. In 1970, he made his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ferrari 512 S. He competed at Le Mans for the last time in 1996—meaning he actually lined up on the starting grid there every single year for 26 years. Unbelievable.
In 1975, he celebrated his first victory at Le Mans alongside Jacky Ickx in the GR8 Gulf entered by Gulf Racing. Over the years, Derek Bell emerged as the greatest sports car driver in motorsport history. Also in 1975, he won the Constructors’ World Championship in the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33.
In 1981, Derek Bell became a Porsche factory driver, and this was followed by a string of overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans:
- In 1981, in the Porsche 936 alongside Jacky Ickx
- In 1982, in the Rothmans Porsche 956 alongside Jacky Ickx
- In 1986, in the Rothmans Porsche 962 alongside Strietzel Stuck
- In 1987, in the Rothmans Porsche 962 alongside Strietzel Stuck
In 1992 and 1995, Derek Bell also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside his son, Justin Derek Bell. In 1992, they drove a Porsche 962 C, and in 1995, a McLaren F1 GTR—one of the most incredible Le Mans race cars to this day.
In 2001, Derek Bell was even “called upon” once again to race at Le Mans when Bentley returned to the 24-hour race as a manufacturer with the EXP 8 and immediately secured third place in the endurance classic.
At the Grand Meeting, Derek Bell—now 85 years old—will be happy to spend time with his many fans and motorsports enthusiasts during autograph sessions, talks, and, of course, the informal “Meet & Greet.”
We are thrilled to announce that Derek Bell will be the fourth legendary international driver to join us in 2026, from July 31 to August 2. On the first weekend of August 2026, the Grand Meeting will once again become a truly special and authentic venue for an atmospheric journey back in time.
Tickets (limited availability in 2026) must be purchased in advance:
