Who are the 16 ex-Formula 1 drivers competing at the 2024 Le Mans 24h race?
Who are the 16 former Formula 1 drivers competing at the Le Mans 24h race in 20𝄹24 and who stands the best chance of success?
16 former Formula 1 drivers will𒅌 be in action at this year’s Le Mans 24h race, but the big name missing is four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel was a candidate to drive for Porsche in the Hypercar class, which would have likely rꦚesulted in a contender for the overall win.
However, the Germa♍n manufacturer admitted a lack of preparation and time in the car was one of෴ the reasons as to why Vettel was not selected.
But ꧟that doesn’t mean a lack of talent will be on display as several ex-F1 drivers will be in the Hypercar class looking to win the overall event.
But who are the favourites?
Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley - Toyota
Although they lost out to Ferrari last season, Toyota can’t be over꧒looked as ꦫone of the favourites in 2024.
Their line-up consists of previous winners, experience and a lot of talent, including the number 7 car whౠich will be driven by Mike Conway and ex-F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi (holds the qualifying lap record at Le Mans) and Nyck De Vr🐬ies.
Kobayashi and De Vries are the drivers witꦡh F1 experience from that team, while the number 8 car also has plenty of F1 experience at the wheel.
Sebastian Buemi and Brendon Hartley both drove for Toro Rosso during their stints ♚in F1, and they will line-up alongside Ryo Hirakawa.
Antonio Giovinazzi - Ferrari
Winner of the 2023 24h Le Mans race, Antonio Giovinazzi and Ferrari made a sensatio🍰nal return to the prototype class at Le Mans as they won on their official return.
James Colado and Ales⛎sandro Pier Guidi were alongside Giovinaazi last season, which will again be the case this year.
Giovinazzi is one of t💯he drivers with the most F1 experience of those competing at Le Man😼s at next month’s race.
Robert Kubica
Also driving for Ferrari in the Hyperclass this season is Robert Kubica, who is one of the biggest names o♒n the grid when i🍷t comes to ex-F1 drivers.
The Polish driver enjoyed a very good career in Formula 1 and is a race winner. His career was heavily impacted by a rallying crash however, and Kubica was never the same although he did return t🐼o F1 with a full-time drive at W🍌illiams in 2019.
Hypercar class
Although others might not have the same chances of winning the evಌent, big names will be on the grid including the likes of Jenson Button (Hertz Team Jota - Porsche), Romain Grosjean (Lamborghini Iron Lynx) and Mick Schumacher📖 (Alpine) will all be in action and representing different manufacturers.
Jea🦩n-Eric Vergne, formerly of Toro Rosso as well, will be in action for Peugeot, as will Stoffel Vandorne and Paul Di Resta who will be teammates.
Danil Kyvat, Jack Aitken and Will Stevens w🌄ill also be competing in the Hypercar൩ class.
Last but certainly not least is Sebastian Bourdais, who like al🅺l former F1 drivers will be in the Hypercar class, competing for Ca🐎dillac.
