Finally Fernando Alonso has returned to the top step of the podium with, wait for it, a Japanese manufacturer. The irony continued at the 86th edition of what some say is the most gruelling race on the motorsport calendar, as 24 past and present F1 drivers (nine of which were teammates) stepped up to the challenge that was the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Only the brave willing to have their stamina tested to the absolute limit take on the 38 corners that make up the 8.5-mile track while their car’s fate remains in the hands of the racing gods. And yet, arguably the world’s greatest endurance race attracted F1 drivers prepared to take on the toughest challenge.
We’re not all destined to fulfil one of 60 cars on the track during the night stint, but do you have the grit to take on a Badger GP mental challenge?
We dare you to name all 24 current and ex-F1 drivers who entered into this year’s race. Since Alonso made his Le Mans debut starting on pole position, you have the winning lap time of 3 minutes 15 seconds in which to complete the test.
Only scroll down for the answers if you’re courageous and prepared not to cheat and don’t forget to share your (un)impressive scores with us…
The Answers
André Lotterer
Without a doubt Lotterer is better know for the time he spent racing in endurance, but did you know he competed once in F1 at the Belgium GP with Caterham back in 2014?
Antonio Giovonazzi
Giovonazzi’s time in F1 has been short and sweet, competing in just two races for Sauber in 2017 at the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix.
Bruno Senna
The renowned family name we all know and love returned to F1 between 2010 and 2012, scoring a total of 33-championship points across 46 race starts.
Felipe Nasr
Nasr drove the #12 Sauber for at the start of the 2015 season. In Australia he crossed the line in fifth position – the highest position finish by a Brazilian driver in their debut Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso
If you didn’t get the Double F1 World Champion right, where have you been?
Gianmaria Bruni
The Italian Ferrari factory driver raced in the 2004 season for Minardi before racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and FIA GT Championship.
Giedo van der Garde
The Dutchman is another former Caterham F1 driver with 19 race starts in 2013. He then joined Sauber in 2014 as a reserve driver.
Gincarlo Fisichella
Fisichella raced for five F1 teams between 1996-2009 racking up three wins, 19 podiums and 275 championship points before becoming a double 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner.
Jan Lammers
Lammers made his F1 debut in 1979 driving for Shadow. In 1980 he started the season driving for ATS, but moved to Ensign before returning to ATS for four races a year later. Ten years after his last F1 race for Theordore he returned to drive the two remaining races of the 1992 season.
Jan Magnussen
The Danish driver stepped into the F1 world with McLaren for one race in 1995 filling in for Mika Häkkinen, who was unwell. After a year out he returned to the sport for two seasons with Stewart.
Jean-Eric Vergne
Before competing in the FIA Formula E Championship, Jean-Eric Vergne drove for Toro Rosso from 2012-14. He later joined Ferrari as a test and development driver.
Jenson Button
British favourite, JB was the second F1 World Champion racing at year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Juan Pablo Montoya
With seven F1 wins and 30 podiums driving for Williams and McLaren, did you know Montoya was ranked 30th on Times Online’s Top 50 Formula One drivers of all time?
Kamui Kobayashi
Kobayashi drove for Toyota and Sauber between 2009-12. He stood on the podium at his home Grand Prix in 2012 before taking a year out to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He returned to F1 with Caterham in 2014.
Kazuki Nakajima
Between 2007-9 Nakajima raced for Williams. At his very first pit stop Nakajima overshot his box and hit two of his mechanics.
Olivier Beretta
Beretta participated in 10 races in the 1994 season for the Larrousse team, but scored zero championship points and was later replaced after his sponsorship money ran out. Between 2003-4 he tested for the Williams.
Pastor Maldonando
The Venezuelan driver ranked up 95 F1 starts with Williams and Lotus however, his erratic driving style made him very unpopular with the other drivers.
Paul di Resta
Di Resta was a test driver for McLaren before racing with Force India for three consecutive seasons. After a two-year absence from the sport he returned in 2016 as Williams’ reserve driver.
Pedro Lamy
Lamy was the first Portuguese driver to score a world championship point at the 1996 Austalian GP with Minardi. Previously he drove for Lotus before breaking his legs and wrists at a private test at Silverstone.
Sebastien Bourdais
Bourdais had his first F1 test with the Arrows team in 2002 and joined Toro Rosso as Sebastian Vettel’s teammate between 2008-9.
Sebastien Buemi
The FIA Formula E Champion was Red Bull Racing’s test and reserve driver. He raced for three consecutive seasons with Toro Rosso between 2009-11 before rejoining Red Bull as test and reserve driver once again in 2012.
Stephane Sarrazin
Sarrazin’s one and only F1 race came at the 1999 Brazilian GP for Minardi, but he continued to stay in F1 carrying out test duties for Prost (1999-01) and Toyota in 2002.
Vitaly Petrov
The Russian scored 64 championship points during his time in F1 for Caterham (2012) and Renault in 2010 and 2011.
Will Stevens
Stevens made 18 F1 starts with Caterham and Marussia between 2014-15, but failed to score any championship points.
