Ex-Formula 1 star Hans Herrmann has died aged 97, with his former team, Mercedes, paying an emotional tribute. Herrmann is survived by his wife, Magdalena, two sons and a grandson.

The racing icon helped earn Porsche their first overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is considered one of the most successful drivers of his era. In addition to the 1970 edition of the French endurance classic, Herrmann won races such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, racking up more than 80 overall and class victories.

Mercedes said: "We're deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Hans Herrmann. Hans raced for @MercedesBenz in F1 during 1954 and 1955, enjoying a glittering and varied motorsport career with wins at Le Mans and the Targa FlorioForever an icon of the Silver Arrows. Rest in peace, Hans."

"The passing of Hans Herrmann has deeply affected us all," said Porsche's Head of Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach. "He was one of Porsche AG's most successful factory racing drivers.

"With the victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 in the Porsche 917, Richard Attwood and he made history."

Born in 1928, Herrmann was once expected to take over his mother's cafe. After completing training as a confectioner, his career pivoted in a different direction, and the German star's life in motorsport got underway with a win at the Nürburgring in a Porsche 356.

By 1953, Herrmann claimed the title of German Sports Car Champion and, as he found success in Porsche vehicles, was recruited to join Mercedes-Benz's factory team. There, he joined figures such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, and Karl Kling.

But it will be for antics with Porsche he is best remembered, and the following year it was with the team that he won success at Mille Miglia. Within that victory, Herrmann drove the open mid-engine sports car under a closing railway barrier.

The legendary racer also spent time with Maserati, B.R.M. and Borgward, in addition to regular spells with Porsche.

It is Herrmann's final race that offered his most significant success as he bounced back from defeat to earn victory at Le Mans in 1970 in a Porsche 917.

"In 1969, I narrowly lost the victory to Jacky Ickx after we overtook each other several times in the last hour and a half of the race," he recalled. "In 1970, Ferdinand Piëch ensured we had a stronger engine and a real chance of winning.

"Winning exactly one year after the narrowly missed victory at Le Mans was, of course, special. It was also Porsche's first overall victory - and it was my last race."