Herrmann Won Both Daytona and Sebring Overall in 1968
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Porsche legend Hans Herrmann has passed away at age 97. Per Porsche in a tribute piece, Herrmann achieved more than 80 overall and class victories, the vast majority of them for Porsche.
Ten of them came at the marquee Florida endurance races, the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring (Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, respectively).
The highlight of both Daytona and Sebring wins came in 1968, when Herrmann won both races back-to-back to start the year. Driving a Porsche 907, Herrmann shared the winning entry with Vic Elford, Jochen Neerpasch, Jo Siffert and Rolf Stommelen. At Sebring, Herrmann drove with Siffert only in the 907.
Herrmann’s two other class wins in Daytona came back-to-back before 1968. He won the Proto 2000 class in 1966, finishing sixth overall, also won the Proto 2000 class in 1967, fourth overall, driving a Porsche 904 GTS and Porsche 910 respectively.
At Sebring, Herrmann and Wolfgang von Trips won both their class (S 1500 and Index of Performance) in a Porsche 550 Spyder in 1956. He then won his first overall time at Sebring in 1960, sharing a Porsche RS60 with Olivier Gendebien.
Further success came in 1970 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as one of his other major accolades. With that win, Herrmann was able to win the three major endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans overall.
“The passing of Hans Herrmann has deeply affected us all,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “He was one of Porsche AG’s most successful factory racing drivers. With the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 in the Porsche 917, Richard Attwood and he made history.”
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport also paid homage to Herrmann, writing on social media: “With great sadness, we bid farewell to Hans Herrmann (1928–2026) – Mercedes-Benz works driver, versatile racer, Le Mans winner, and Stuttgart‑rooted legend. Rest in peace, Hans. You will always remain in our hearts as a close friend and Silver Arrow icon.”
Photos Courtesy of Porsche Motorsport