For the first time ever, a F1 car was driven on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit with WEC World Champion Fernando Alonso riding the Alpine car
Ahead of the 89th instalment of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race which got underway of August 21 and will run till August 22, history was created. For the first time ever, a Formula 1 car was driven on the track with Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the Alpine F1 car.
WEC World Champion and two times winner of the prestigious Le Mans race, Alonso performed a demo run at the Circuit de la Sarthe track on Saturday. Alonso had won the 2018 and 2019 editions of the 24-hour race driving for Toyota alongside peers Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.
Video: Fernando Alonso Becomes First Ever Driver To Drive A F1 Car At The Le Mans Circuit
The Alpine F1 car gracing the circuit marked the F1 side’s lengthy commitment to the Le Mans race. The side is currently challenging the revered Toyota side this weekend in the new Hypercar class car which has taken over from the previous LMP1 machinery.
History made by Alpine today at Le Mans, for the first time an @F1 car is hitting the legendary French circuit with #WEC World Champion at the wheel, @alo_oficial.#LeMans24 @AlpineF1Team @SignatechAlpine pic.twitter.com/AufTNkRmGp
— WEC (@FIAWEC) August 21, 2021
Alpine make a foray into the endurance race having tasted consummate success in the land of F1. The side saw Esteban Ocon win the Hungarian Grand Prix prior to the ongoing summer shutdown, an unprecedented win, one which Alonso ranked higher than him winning the Le Mans race.
The side will be looking to carry forward that win at the one day long Le Mans race this Saturday and Sunday. Touted as the most competitive and grueling race in the world of motorsports, drivers are tested to the core with them requiring to drive at lengthy lengths across the course of the day.
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