Steve McQueen, in the company of a member of the production company of the film Le Mans released in 1971, observes the track a few days before the race. But the main actor of this edition of the 24 Hours will not be American but Belgian: Jacky Ickx wins the first of his six victories, with cunning, in front of Hans Herrmann. The driver left his mark forever by winning this race after starting last. Ickx had protested against the herringbone start, believing that the drivers did not have time to put on their seatbelts. He decided to walk, not run, to his car, hence his late start. The 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans was also marked by the death of John Woolfe (Porsche 917), victim of an accident on the first lap.