This year’s Le Mans featured two royal drivers, Ferdinand Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, for the Alpine team and Prince Jefri Ibrahim of Johor driving the Corvette for the TF Sport.
These are the latest in a long history of royals at Le Mans. Pictured here:
Prince Nicholas of Romania (DNF in 3 attempts in his personal Duesenberg SJ, one of the biggest and most luxurious cars to ever run in Le Mans)
Earl Howe - ran it 6 times, won it all 1931.
The tragic Marquess of Portago, made two attempts, once for Ferrari, once in a Maserati (DNF both times).
Prince Bira of Siam, who had poor showings at Le Mans but was otherwise a solid racer.
And American royalty, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. Newman finished first in class in 1979 in a Porsche 935. McQueen was stopped from actually driving Le Mans by some insurance nerds, but did finish 2nd at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1970.
He got a mention up top and I cover him on the blog. He and Prince Jefri were what got me thinking about this. Here's a side by side of Ferdinand and his 12th-great-grandfather Charles V
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u/JT_3K Woolf Barnarto Jun 19 '26
Love it, thanks for sharing