Nico Hülkenberg is, let's recall, the first title-winning Formula 1 driver to have won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1991, with the victory of Johnny Herbert and Bertrand Gachot along with Volker Weidler. The first driver to have given the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, last year Fernando Alonso was close to taking the plunge in 2015. But the magic of Le Mans also makes other types of drivers envious, those who would like to race at Le Mans sooner or later. Mark Webber and Nico Hülkenberg will eventually be emulated in this respect...

Nico Hülkenberg (27 years old, winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, Force India driver): "It was a very intense and long week. I flew from Montreal to Paris and then straight to Le Mans. To come there, first attempt, and to win it has just been incredible."
Daniel Ricciardo (25 years old, Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver, three Formula 1 wins): "I think Nico’s made it all seem possible for us now. So, if we could manage to do more, like they did in the old days as well, there was drivers jumping from categories. I watched quite a lot of it actually, about 18 hours, and I was obviously thinking it would be nice to be racing as well, on this weekend off."
Sebastian Vettel (27 years old, Scuderia Ferrari driver, 40 wins and four world titles in F1): "A little bit along the lines of Daniel. I think it’s great to watch, especially as everyone has the impression that, a 24 Hour race, people tend to take it easy because the race is so long and so many things can happen, but the guys were actually flat out from the first lap. For all of the race, basically. So, I think as racing drivers that’s what we’re after, to push every single lap and for a long time, obviously that means more fun."
Carlos Sainz (20 years old, Scuderia Toro Rosso driver, first Formula 1 season): "Or not, who knows! If an offer comes, why not take it. For sure, its professionally one of the most prestigious races in the world and, to participate in that, after participating in F1, it would be something mega. Of course, I’m more than open. Anything that has four wheels and a steering wheel and an engine I would like to drive."
Fernando Alonso (33 years old, McLaren-Honda driver, 32 wins and two world titles in F1): "I consider to race in Le Mans in the future – and when in the future I don’t know – I just said it was very close this year, so maybe next year. I don’t know."

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

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), DOWNTOWN, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, FRIDAY JUNE 12 2015, DRIVERS' PARADE. Winners of the 2015 edition, Earl Bamber, Nico Hülkenberg and Nick Tandy (from left to right) have five participations between them. The first two competed for the first time at the 24 Hours.