Tom Kristensen today announced his retirement after 18 seasons at the forefront of top level sports car racing.

His record at Le Mans may never be equalled: from those 18 starts he scored nine wins, including his debut in 1997, and finished on the podium a further five times. Add to that his six Sebring victories (also a record) and Kristensen will surely go down as one of the greats of the modern era. We certainly think so, which is why we inducted him into our Hall of Fame in 2013. This year he was also knighted in his home country of Denmark.

Still energetic at 47, Kristensen will remain with Audi as an ambassador and driver advisor, so we won’t miss his presence in the paddock, but his absence from the cockpit leaves big shoes to fill.

Thanks for the great memories, Tom.

Click here to read Simon Taylor’s Lunch with Tom Kristensen