In January 1955, Hawthorn joined the Jaguar racing team, replacing Stirling Moss, who had left for Mercedes. Hawthorn won the 1955 Le Mans 24 hours following what has been described as an inspired drive in which he set a lap record of 122.388 mph during a three hour duel with Fangio in the early stages. However, the race was marred by the worst disaster in motor racing history, a crash which killed 84 spectators and Mercedes driver Pierre Levegh. After overtaking Lance Macklin's Healey, Hawthorn suddenly braked in front of him having noticed an order to enter the pits to refuel, causing Macklin to swerve into the path of Levegh's Mercedes.