Deceased at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on September 1, 1985 at only 27 years of age, Stefan Bellof made his mark in both endurance and single-seaters history in the early 1980s. Many saw in him the first German Formula 1 World Champion, but it was in endurance he won that honour in 1984. At the time, Bellof was a factory driver at the wheel of the Porsche 956, where he met former teammates and future winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: no less than Derek Bell, Jochen Mass and Jacky Ickx (12 wins between the three of them!). But his sole participation in 1983, indeed along with Mass, ended unfortunately when he was forced to retire during the 14th hour due to a head gasket problem.

By wearing the black with red and orange stripes like Bellof's helmet, Timo Bernhard evokes the memory of one of the most brilliant drivers Germany has ever known, but also a certain motorsports mindset, when drivers went from single-seaters to endurance from one race weekend to the next. This tribute is also fitting in the setting of this second round of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Bernhard is joined with Porsche by his fellow countryman Nico Hülkenberg that the Formula 1 team Force India has authorized to race at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. On Saturday at 2:30 p.m. local time, Bernhard will start from pole position flanked by Hülkenberg's car on the starting grid. With, who knows, a great emotional moment at the finish at 8:30 p.m. local time if the trio Timo Bernhard-Brendon Hartley-Mark Webber wins.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo (VISION SPORT AGENCY): SPA (BELGIUM),  SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, FRIDAY MAY 1 2015. Distance record-holder at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since his win in 2010, Timo Bernhard pays tribute in grand style to Stefan Bellof.