How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes
Eight Formula E drivers made the 7,000-mile sprint from the streets of Jakarta to the fabled Circuit de la Sarthe and every one had a story to share at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours. Despite a range of triumphs and disappointments, each driver doubling up on the day job played a key role in their teams' fortunes
Once a year, thousands of people trudge to a city in north-west France to become at one with the racing gods. Le Mans is a true pilgrimage that many must walk, if one is to be enrobed by the soundscape of roaring engines and the visual feast of sportscars tearing through the night with their high-beams peeking through the darkness.
For eight of the drivers in attendance, the usual pilgrimage was made increasingly longer. Inconveniently for them, the Formula E round in Jakarta was positioned in the weekend ahead of Le Mans – perilously close to the first round of practice sessions around the Circuit de la Sarthe. Those magnificent eight had to hot-foot it halfway across the world, stave off the looming spectre of jetlag, and prepare themselves for an all-nighter strapped into a devilishly fast racing car. It’s not unthinkable that a considerable supply of ProPlus was ingested to keep the octet awake.
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
Perez explains "pushing for nothing" Saudi F1 radio call
Perez explains "pushing for nothing" Saudi F1 radio call Perez explains "pushing for nothing" Saudi F1 radio call
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez cruises to Red Bull 1-2 as penalty denies Alonso podium
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez cruises to Red Bull 1-2 as penalty denies Alonso podium F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez cruises to Red Bull 1-2 as penalty denies Alonso podium
Alonso "not in a position" to beat Perez, Red Bull in Saudi Arabian F1 GP
Alonso "not in a position" to beat Perez, Red Bull in Saudi Arabian F1 GP Alonso "not in a position" to beat Perez, Red Bull in Saudi Arabian F1 GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez clinches pole, Verstappen out with driveshaft issue
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez clinches pole, Verstappen out with driveshaft issue F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Perez clinches pole, Verstappen out with driveshaft issue
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen leads FP3 from Perez, Alonso third
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen leads FP3 from Perez, Alonso third F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen leads FP3 from Perez, Alonso third
What we learned from Friday practice for F1's Saudi Arabian GP
What we learned from Friday practice for F1's Saudi Arabian GP What we learned from Friday practice for F1's Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen completes Friday practice clean sweep
F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen completes Friday practice clean sweep F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen completes Friday practice clean sweep
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Portugal MotoGP weekend has highlighted need for riders’ union – Alex Marquez
Portugal MotoGP weekend has highlighted need for riders’ union – Alex Marquez Portugal MotoGP weekend has highlighted need for riders’ union – Alex Marquez
Raikkonen enjoys "older-style" racing without DRS in NASCAR
Raikkonen enjoys "older-style" racing without DRS in NASCAR Raikkonen enjoys "older-style" racing without DRS in NASCAR
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past
Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past Porsche’s hopeful Le Mans future meets its illustrious past
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes
How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes
Le Mans 2022: The team by team guide
Le Mans 2022: The team by team guide Le Mans 2022: The team by team guide
The great Le Mans garagistes that challenged factory might
The great Le Mans garagistes that challenged factory might The great Le Mans garagistes that challenged factory might
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.