Ever wonder what cars the race car drivers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race are driving in their free time?
This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race is almost here with the 85th installation of the race kicking off June 17. As fans of the famous race, Carspring has compiled a list of the cars the most famous drivers drive in their spare time. Plus, with the help of InspireLAB, the everyday rides of these drivers have been reimagined to look like their team liveries.
List adapted from Valentin Hilbig’s article. Provided by Carspring.
1. Neel Jani – Switzerland/India – Drives a Porsche GT3 RS
Team: Porsche LMP Team #1
Race Car: Porsche 919 Hybrid
Swiss/Indian hotshot Neel Jani stays in the fast lane in his spare time, keeping on-brand too. His Porsche GT3 RS might not be quite as quick as his Le Mans car, but he certainly won’t be beaten by many cars on the road, especially when it’s Neel Jani behind the wheel.
2. Timo Bernhard – Germany – Drives a Porsche Macan
Team: Porsche LMP Team #2
Race Car: Porsche 919 Hybrid
Veteran German driver Timo Bernhard goes for a more practical ride for his daily car, but like his teammate, stays loyal to his team. His Porsche Macan isn’t short of power, however, and he’ll have more than enough pace to outrun most cars flat-out on the Autobahn.
3. Oliver Webb – UK – Drives an Eleanor Mustang GT500
Team: ByKolles Racing
Race Car: ENSO CLM P1/01 – NISMO
Manchester-born Oliver Webb might drive a high-tech ENSO CLM P1/01 at work, but he prefers hardcore, old-school muscle when he’s not at the office. Wherever he takes his car on the weekend, his Eleanor Shelby GT500 will have him gone in 60 seconds. Puntastic.
4. Kamui Kobayashi – Japan – Drives a Toyota Harrier
Team: Toyota Racing #1
Race Car: Toyota TS050 – Hybrid
Former F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi has perhaps the most practical car out of all the Le Mans drivers featured here. His Toyota Harrier (Lexus RX in the U.S.) won’t be winning any drag races, but its famed reliability certainly keeps to the spirit of endurance.
5. Sebastien Buemi – Switzerland – Drives a Lexus RC-F
Team: Toyota Racing #2
Race Car: Toyota TS050 – Hybrid
Kamui’s fellow Toyota driver, and ex-F1 driver Sebastien Buemi, has gone for a far less practical car for his daily ride. His Lexus RC-F is worth the hit on practicality, however. With 477bhp under the hood, Buemi will be almost as quick on the roads as he is around Le Mans.
6. Jose Maria Lopez – Argentina -Drives a Citroen DS3R
Team: Toyota Racing #3
Race Car: Toyota TS050 – Hybrid
Three-time World Touring Car champion, and Le Mans newcomer is driving the third car for Toyota Racing this year. However, he’s stayed loyal to his DS touring car team for his daily ride. The DS3R hot hatch should keep this legendary driver entertained when he’s not behind the wheel of his Le Mans car.
7. Rubens Barrichello – Brazil – Drives an Audi RS6 Avant
Team: Racing Team Nederland
Race Car: Dallara P217 – Gibson
A favorite former Formula 1 driver, Rubens Barrichello is certainly driving one of the more interesting cars at Le Mans this year. Away from the track, he goes for practicality, combined with extreme speed. The RS6 Avant is perfect for Rubens’ trips to the DIY store, but the power under the hood will make him the surprise package. Maybe at Le Mans too.
