British · Derby, England · Born 1 June 1980British motorsport engineer who became the first woman to serve as lead race engineer for a Le Mans 24 Hours winning team, achieving three consecutive victories
Leena Gade became the first woman to serve as lead race engineer for a winning car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, guiding Audi's factory team to victory in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Her strategic decision-making during Le Mans' famously unpredictable weather and traffic conditions marked her as one of the finest race engineers of her generation, and her success helped open doors for women in senior technical roles across top-level motorsport.
Famous For
First woman lead engineer to win Le Mans 24 Hours
Legacy
Lasting Impact
Pioneering female motorsport engineer who broke barriers in endurance racing
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Le Mans 24 Hours winner as lead engineer 2011, 2012, 2013
- First woman lead engineer to win Le Mans
- FIA Hall of Fame nominee
Career Journey
Timeline
2006
📌 Joined Audi Sport as junior engineer
2009
🎯 Promoted to lead race engineer at Audi Sport
2011
🏆 Le Mans 24 Hours winner as lead engineer
2012
🏆 Le Mans 24 Hours winner as lead engineer
2013
🏆 Le Mans 24 Hours winner as lead engineer
2018
📌 Joined Bentley Motorsport as technical director
British Athletes