# Porsche Honors Derek Bell's 85th Birthday

> Porsche celebrates Derek Bell's 85th birthday with tribute to his racing legacy.
- Title: Porsche Honors Derek Bell's 85th Birthday · Porsche Newsroom
- Summary: Porsche celebrates Derek Bell's 85th birthday with tribute to his racing legacy. Porsche honors Derek Bell's 85th birthday, recognizing his five Le Mans wins…
- Keywords: derek bell, porsche, le mans, porsche 956, porsche 962, world enduance championship, formula 2, cars, motorsport, Honors, Derek, Bell's
- Source: Porsche Newsroom — https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2026/history/porsche-derek-bell-85th-birthday-43597.html
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: derek bell, porsche, le mans, porsche 956, porsche 962, world enduance championship, formula 2, cars, motorsport
## Derek Bell's Racing Legacy
Derek Bell is one of the most successful racing drivers of his era with five Le Mans victories and world championship titles.
## Porsche 956 and 962 Era
Bell won multiple races with Porsche 956 and 962 prototypes during the 1980s Group C racing era.
## Five Le Mans Victories
Bell secured five Le Mans wins, four with Porsche: 1981 936, 1982 956, 1986 and 1987 962.
## Porsche 956/962 Driver Partnership
Bell formed a consistent partnership with Jacky Ickx, winning multiple championships together.
## Family Racing Milestone
In 1992, Bell raced alongside his son Justin at Le Mans in a Porsche 962 C.
## Porsche's Endurance Legacy
Thomas Laudenbach praised Bell for his technical understanding and team spirit during Porsche's crucial racing history.

> derek bell epitomises an era in which technical innovation and human endurance formed an inseparable whole in motor racing
## Porsche's Tribute
Porsche celebrates Derek Bell's 85th birthday with recognition of his enduring impact on motorsport.
## Key takeaway

Porsche honors Derek Bell's 85th birthday, recognizing his five Le Mans wins and career with Porsche 956/962 prototypes.