Scottish Audi ace Allan McNish has gone out on top. This year’s Le Mans 24 Hour winner and FIA WEC World Champion has announced his retirement – effective immediately.

With new regulations and new cars due to his the track for the first time next year, the three-time Le Mans winner and three-time American Le Mans Series champion has decided to hang up his helmet.

McNish took 27 ALMS victories in 47 race starts – an amazing win percentage of 57 percent.

Incredibly at Le Mans, McNish has an incredible nine podiums from 13 race starts. In fact, apart from four DNFs, his only non-podium result from 5th in 2004.

“I’ve had fantastically successful time with Audi and feel it’s the right time to step back from Le Mans sports-prototype racing and to look at other opportunities,” McNish said.

“As a racing driver it’s important to stop [racing] at the right time when I’m still fast and capable of doing the job and the timing feels right after winning Le Mans for a third time this year and claiming the World title.

“This year especially was mega successful, teaming up with Loïc [Duval] for the first time and obviously with long-time co-driver Tom [Kristensen]. We’ve ticked all of the boxes and I ticked my personal ones too but now the time is right to hand over to the young guys.

“I’ve won the championships and races I wanted to win and frankly there’s no better way to end my Audi sportscar race career than going out as a world champion. My fellow Scot and mentor Jackie Stewart knew when to get into things but also knew when to get out and he has taught me that lesson.”