Photo : D.R. - Archives ACO

 

Both born in 1956, Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson proved themselves internationally in Formula 3 in 1980, when the former won the European Championship and the latter the English Championship.  They also both finished their first entry in the 24 Hours:  Alboreto 8^th in 1981 and Johansson 6^th in 1983.

Michele Alboreto joined Ferrari in 1984, with whom he achieved three of his five victories in Formula 1, remaining to this day Formula 1’s last Italian winner at the wheel of a Ferrari.  Stefan Johansson became his teammate in 1985 and 1986.  In 1997, they competed in La Sarthe driving the Joest-Porsche TWR WSC prototype, winning the race with a Danish driver new to Le Mans:  Tom Kristensen. Thereafter, Michele Alboreto became one of the pioneers in the history of Audi at Le Mans (4^th in 1999, 3^rd in 2000, and also winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2001) before perishing during a test session on April 25, 2001.  Stefan Johansson has also had a successful endurance career, with two victories at Sebring (1984 and 1997).  His last appearance dates back to Le Mans in 2012, driving the Lola-Nissan LMP2 car of the Gulf Racing Middle East team.

Auctions held in Paris by Bonhams (Grand Palais, February 6^th) and Artcurial Motorcars (salon Rétromobile, February 7^th) will present the Ferrari 126 C4 (1984) de Michele Alboreto and Ferrari 156/85 (1985) de Stefan Johansson.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translated by Rainier Ehrhardt / ACO

The 82^nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held June 14^th and 15^th, 2014  (ticket information).

Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 15 1997, PODIUM.  Twelve years after being Ferrari teammates in Formula 1, Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson (first and second from the right) mounted the top step of the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium with a young driver named Tom Kristensen (second from the left).