The F1 drivers that took on the Dakar Rally challenge
From smooth asphalt to dusty desert, the transition from Formula 1 to Dakar is not for every driver. The number of F1 entrants who have ventured to the Dakar in the past was (yes). Formula 1 and the Dakar Rally have little in common. While F1 is about speed and pure racing, the Dakar requires patience, composure and experience. What is similar? stubborn. Otherwise there would be no final victory and no World Cup.
Before that, few drivers dared to drive Formula 1. Because of F1’s complicated schedule these days, most ex-F1 drivers are from decades ago. RacingNews365 has some famous names listed. Fernando Alonso is currently a Formula 1 driver, but in 2020 the Spaniard competed in some of the toughest rallies in the world.
Alonso temporarily left Formula 1 at the end of 2018 to pursue other challenges, including the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally. Alonso didn’t go to Saudi Arabia for fun. The two-time world champion drove for the Toyota factory team and notably teamed with Nasser Al-Attia. His co-driver was also in demand as five-time motorcycle rally winner Marc Coma took his place alongside his compatriot.
Although he didn’t win, Alonso left a good impression. His pace was on target, but a heavy injury on the 10th lap threw a spanner in the works.
Alonso misjudged the hill and overturned several times. Partly due to the loss of time, he finished 13th overall.
Jackie Ickx remains a motorsports legend. The Belgian has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times, Formula 1 eight times and Paris-Dakar once.
True enthusiasts remember that Ickx did this with Mercedes in 1983. However, he attracted the most attention when he competed in a specially modified Porsche.
Although his colleague René Metge did not win in 1984, the car remains an icon of the Dakar Rally. Jan Lammers has participated in the Dakar Rally five times, starting in 2010 with Jumbo and Fritz van Eerd. The Dutchman started in a yellow truck but retired on stage 7. A year later, Lammers completed the rally for the first time and immediately achieved his best result, finishing 19th for the Ginaf Rally Power Team.
Lammers, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012 and drove four seasons in Formula 1 between 1979 and 1982, founded his own Dakar team, Racing for Holland. The concept was identical to that of the team of the same name that participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car model was based on a square flag in which sponsors could appear. Lammers has two shutouts in his last three starts and one in 2014. Jean-Louis Schlesser
Jean-Louis Schlesser is a lesser-known name in Formula 1. The Frenchman drove two races in the first class before seeking refuge in the other categories. The Dakar Rally will be a success story. Schlesser made his debut in 1984 and eight years later decided to build his own buggy. After much success in other rallies, in 1999 and 2000 he won the prize for the toughest rally in the world.
Schlesser won with Schlesser-Renault and could have won a third had he not retired from the sport in 2001. He held off his nearest competitor in the closing stages and was penalized with a one-hour time penalty. According to the results, 3rd place.
