24h Le Mans
Thanks to cars in peak performance, 12 Formula 1 drivers in the 1980s and 1990s were able to carry out a second career in endurance and even win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The second installment of this series is about the journeys of Derek Warwick, Mark Blundell and Yannick Dalmas, winners in 1992 with Peugeot.
From the mid-1980s, the successive arrivals of Jaguar and Peugeot at the 24 Hours of Le Mans resulted in the widespread recruitment by the two manufacturers of single-seaters drivers, namely from Formula 1. After victories for Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries (1988) and Martin Brundle (1990) with Jaguar, it was Peugeot's turn to reach the top step on the podium in 1992 thanks to Yannick Dalmas, Derek Warwick and Mark Blundell.
In the early 1990s, Le Mans and Formula 1 cars were both powered by 3.5-liter atmospheric engines. When current FIA president Jean Todt, who at the time was the head of Peugeot's sporting activities, launched the 905 program seen at the 24 Hours in 1991, 1992 and 1993, he called upon drivers who boasted both experience in endurance and convincing success in single-seaters. This applies to the driver line-up winner in 1992.
Derek Warwick, the ultimate victory - The "Dean" of the trio (he was 38 back in 1992), British driver Derek Warwick was a Renault F1 driver in 1984 and 1985, and competed at his first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1983 at the wheel of a Porsche 956. He joined Peugeot after two participations in the 24 Hours as a factory Jaguar TWR driver and won the race in 1992. He was also the most experienced of the three in Formula 1.
Derek Warwick (born on August 27, 1954) - 5 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1983 and 1996 (1 win in 1992), 146 Grand Prix from 1981 to 1993 (4 podiums).
Mark Blundell, pole sitter and winner - His fellow countryman Mark Blundell (26 at the time) was also known at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One year after his first participation, in 1990 he scored the first pole position for a Japanese manufacturer, representing Nissan, at Le Mans. After his 1992 win, he finished in the top 5 twice, including a fourth place finish in 1995. He then secured, along with David Brabham and Johnny Herbert, a Bentley one-two in 2003 behind winners Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Guy Smith. At the same time, he competed in Formula 1 with teams Brabham, Ligier, Tyrrell and McLaren.
Mark Blundell (born on April 8, 1966) - 7 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1989 and 2003 (1 win in 1992, 1 pole position in 1990), 61 Grand Prix from 1991 to 1995 (3 podiums).
Yannick Dalmas, the legend - Though he took part in 23 Grand Prix exclusively with French teams (Larrousse and AGS), the 1992 24 Hours marked for Yannick Dalmas (31 at the time) the beginning of an epic journey that would have him match, with four victories in the 1990s, Henri Pescarolo, the winningest French driver in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, his brilliant track record allows him to serve as an advisor to the FIA for the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the upcoming 2018-2019 Super Season, including the next two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Yannick Dalmas (born on July 28, 1961) - 12 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1991 and 2002 (4 wins in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1999), 23 Grand Prix from 1987 to 1994.
Click below for the first installment in this series:
12 Formula One drivers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1988-1999 (1) - '88 to '90
PHOTO (Copyright - ACO Archives/Christian Vignon): At the wheel of the #1 905, in 1992 Derek Warwick, Mark Blundell and Yannick Dalmas gave Peugeot the first of its three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with two more following in 1993 and 2009.
