13/08/2026
• In the 2001 season, Gulf Oil International wanted to participate once again in the world’s most important endurance race. Perhaps in an attempt to relive the legendary moments of the 60s and 70s with John Wyer’s JWAE Gulf Racing Team. The opportunity arose with the formation of a new, highly competitive and promising private team. They had the best car, the Audi R8 LMP, experienced and fast drivers like Stefan Johansson, Tom Coronel, and Patrick Lemarié, and a great team led by Mike Earle. The car was painted in the classic, mythical, and iconic Gulf livery.
• But the consequences of a torrential downpour at the start of the race led to a premature retirement.
• Despite their resounding failure at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Johansson Motorsport team had their revenge later that same year, 2001. Using the same Gulf-liveried Audi R8, they were crowned champions of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in both the teams’ and drivers’ championships with Stefan Johansson at the wheel. The car was absurdly fast, but Le Mans had its own way of proving them wrong.
