Romain Dumas

1. Who is Romain Dumas?

Romain Dumas is a French driver, born in Alès (Gard) on December 14, 1977. Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa and the Nürburgring, not to mention a WEC world champion title or his successes at Pikes Peak, he is one of the finest records in French motorsport.

2. Junior Course by Romain Dumas

Beginning like many young drivers with karting, the Gardois then moved to the single-seater level, both in Formula Renault and in F3 France in the mid-90s. 3rd in Formula Renault France in 1997, Romain Dumas climbed the stages until in Euro Formula 3000, with a runner-up place in 2002 before an F1 test with Renault. But already, the appeal of GT and endurance appears, with regular participations both in FIA GT, as well as in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, already with Porsche or even in Super GT with Toyota.

3. Romain Dumas’ Endurance, WRC and Hill Climb Course

Very quickly integrated into the Porsche fold, notably via the Freisinger team, Romain Dumas quickly distinguished himself, such as with a second place in GT at Le Mans in 2001 with the 911 GT3-RS shared with Philippe Haezebrouck and Gunnar Jeannette (7th overall ). More and more regular appearances are also taking shape across the Atlantic in the American Le Mans Series.

In 2002, a victory in NGT at the 24 Hours of Spa (3rd overall) coupled with a second place at Le Mans in GT and a third at Daytona, still in GT, validated the move to Grand Touring. From then on, the career of the Gardois was launched and 2003 saw Romain Dumas pocket a historic edition of the 24 Hours of Spa with Stéphane Ortelli and Marc Lieb, with a “small” Porsche 911 GT3-RS NGT, against the monstrous Ferrari 550, Lister Storm and other Chrysler Vipers. Winner that same year at Petit Le Mans in GT and 3rd in the Carrera Cup Germany, the Frenchman officially joined Weissach and continued his programs in the American Le Mans Series, at Le Mans and at Spa. 2007 remains a golden year for Dumas with the American Le Mans Series title with the Porsche RS Spyder – Penske, but also his first victory at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring with Marc Lieb, Timo Bernhard and Marcel Tiemann. Title retained in 2008 and 2009, before a fourth success in 2011.

Triumph in the United States with the Porsche – Penske alliance and the legendary RS Spyder. © DPPI / F. Flamand

And Le Mans? In 2010, fielded by cousin Audi, Romain Dumas reached the summit of endurance by winning the double round of the clock in the R15 TDI in the company of Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Bernhard, his lifelong accomplice. A triumph enhanced by a new victory at Spa, with Martin Ragginger, Jörg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler. Now part of the endurance legend with overall victories at Le Mans, Spa and the Nürburgring, Romain Dumas continued his harvest in the following years, notably with a success in GTE Pro at Le Mans in 2013, and a double at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. / WEC world title in 2016.

First overall success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Audi R15 TDI in 2010. © DPPI / JM. The Meur

It is also beginning to diversify, via rallying or hill climbing. Winner four times at Pikes Peak, including the absolute record with the 100% electric Volkswagen ID.R in 2018, the Gardois also won the world title in R-GT in rallying in 2017.

He has been driving in the WEC for Glickenhaus since the 2021 season. He dominated the start of the race at the 6 Hours of Monza 2022 before seeing the American's turbo fail...

 Romain Dumas dominated the start of the race at the 6 Hours of Monza 2022 (Photo Joao Filipe / DPPI)

4. AUTOhebdo's opinion on Romain Dumas

Endearing, unwavering, always present in big moments, Romain Dumas remains a figure in French and international motorsport. His eclecticism makes him one of the rare drivers to be able to impose himself everywhere, in the purest spirit of his predecessors from the 70s or 80s. Having won almost everything in Endurance, he nevertheless continues his career with incredible bulimia, but with a true passion.