1955 Le Mans disaster

On 11 June 1955, a multi-vehicle collision occurred during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans in Sarthe, France, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 82 to 84 people. The disaster occurred at the Circuit de la Sarthe, when a mid-race collision sent Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh and his car into a spectator arena, causing his car to disintegrate and throwing him onto the racetrack, killing him instantly. Pieces of debris from both the car and the arena flew into the crowd, killing at least 82 people including Levegh. The exact number killed is debated, the minimum being at least 82, though some sources suggest up to 84 people died. The disaster is the deadliest event in motorsport history, prompting multiple European countries to ban motorsports entirely; Switzerland did not lift its ban until 2022.

The cause of the crash was later determined to have been due to aggressive braking from Jaguar driver Mike Hawthorn. Preparing for his pit stop, he pulled to the right side of the track in front of Austin-Healey driver Lance Macklin and abruptly braked. Macklin swerved out from behind Hawthorn into the path of Levegh, who was passing on the left in his much faster Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. Levegh rear-ended Macklin at high speed, the impact launching his own car through the air. Levegh's car skipped over a protective earthen berm at 200 km/h (125 mph) and made at least two impacts within the spectator area, the last of which caused the car to disintegrate, throwing Levegh onto the track. Large pieces of debris, including the Mercedes' engine block, radiator, front suspension, and bonnet (hood), were sent flying into the packed spectator area in front of the grandstand. The rear of Levegh's car landed on the berm and exploded into flames.

There was much debate over blame for the disaster. The official inquiry held none of the drivers specifically responsible, but criticized the layout of the 30-year-old track, which had not been designed for cars as fast as those involved in the crash.