Nico Hulkenberg’s victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has sparked some interest in the race from the other drivers in the Formula One.
The German, whom drives for Sahara Force India in Formula One, recently won the race with Porsche along with team mates Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.
Among the drivers whom had admitted their wish to take part in world’s fabled endurance race were Pastor Maldonado of Lotus, Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull Racing and Carlos Sainz Jr of Toro Rosso. Even four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari had proclaimed his interest in the topic.
“Everyone has the impression in a 24-hour race people take it easy because it is so long, but it is great to see the guys flat-out from the first lap for all of the race,” Vettel said.
“As a racing driver, that is what we are after: to push every single lap, for a long time.
“It might be something in the future to think about.”
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso had claimed that he was close to securing a seat in Porsche at Le Mans this year and could even be on the grid next year.
“I considered to race in Le Mans,” he said. In the future [I could], and when in the future I don’t know.
“I just said it was very close this year, so maybe next year.”
Lotus’ Romain Grosjean, whom raced a Matech-run Ford GT car at Le Mans back in 2010 declared himself “jealous”of Hulkenberg and promised to make a comeback some day.
“Older people they say remember when Jacky Ickx was doing F1 he was going to Le Mans and then doing F2 and winning in different categories,” said the Frenchman.
“That has disappeared a little bit but now Nico winning Le Mans may open the door for others.
“But if you do it, do it in good conditions [a good team] because it’s a tough race.
“I’ll go again to Le Mans, I am sure. Right now I have a one-month-old baby and I’m not going to do F1, Le Mans and look after the baby!”
Kimi Raikkonen, however, wishes to return to the Le Mans scene only if Ferrari could enter the race. The Finn had tested the Peugeot’s LMP1 car in 2011.
“It’s something that I’ve been interested to do in the future,” he said.
“I’m not interested to race with another team, so if Ferrari comes with a [LMP1] car in the future – who knows?”
In contrary to the Le Mans attempt by the other drivers, Williams’ Felipa Massa and McLaren’s Jenson Button both has expressed their interest but they seemed not too keen on entering the scene until their Formula One careers were over.
“It’s like a Formula 1 car but with closed wheels and closed cockpit,” Massa said.
“It’s amazing. Fantastic drivers, fantastic cars.
“But I think you need to concentrate 100 per cent on your job as well.
“Maybe [Hulkenberg] decided to do that because of some issues that he had [in F1], I don’t know.
“Maybe if I change, I’ll change to go there and race the whole [World Endurance] championship.”
“I can’t see there is any driver in the motorsport world who wouldn’t want to go to Le Mans” but he believes Hulkenberg’s situation was exceptional and he was surprised the German won in what was Porsche’s extra entry, alongside its contracted drivers Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber,” said Button.
“I know it has happened, but I don’t think it is something which would work and I don’t think it should work.”
“He obviously did a great job and his team-mates did but going into the race it wasn’t the ‘A car’, it was the back-up car.
“It’s such a talented field of teams and drivers – you have to give it your all.
“You can’t do it half-heartedly. It’s got to be a maximum attack affair.”
However, the two Mercedes drivers were the complete opposite to the majority. They were unmoved over the Le Mans entry as Nico Rosberg claimed he “had not thought about it” whereas Lewis Hamilton had stamped a clear “no”.
“I didn’t watch it,” Hamilton said. “I don’t honestly think I’ve ever seen Le Mans.
“It’s not something I’ve ever particularly been interested in.
“Naturally I love cars but it’s not been something I’ve ever wanted to do, and don’t plan to.”
Photo credits: pitpass.com
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