Despite never reaching the top step on the podium, the respective journeys of Mario Andretti, Bob Wollek, Emmanuel Collard and Stéphane Sarrazin span more than half a century of 24 Hours history.

Mario Andretti, an American dream – For his first two appearances at the 24 Hours in 1966 and 1967, Mario Andretti represented Ford and was considered one of the brightest hopefuls in American motorsport. By the time he returned to Le Mans in the early 1980s, he was a living legend. Winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the second (and last to this day) American driver to become F1 world champion, his goal was to add the ultimate jewel to his already stunning crown. In 1983, along with his son Michael and Frenchman Philippe Alliot, Andretti finished third. Five years later, Mario and Michael were joined by their respective nephew and cousin John at the wheel of a factory Porsche 962 C, finishing sixth. In 1995, an incident and rear hood replacement cost the American the win along with his French teammates Bob Wollek and Eric Helary. After two final participations in 1997 and 2000 (at the age of 60!), Mario Andretti resigned himself to the fact he would never win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, at 78 years young, his passion is still in full force in the messages he posts on social media.

Born 28 February 1940 – Eight participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1966 and 2000, two podium finishes (second in 1995, third in 1983).

Bob Wollek, a great injustice – Bob Wollek is a member of a very exclusive club: with Henri Pescarolo, he is one of only two drivers to have surpassed 30 participations in the 24 Hours. The former high-level university skier's loyalty to Le Mans deserved to be rewarded with at least one victory. But that's the paradox of Bob Wollek: often in the right team, as evidenced by his eight top 10 finishes, but (too) rarely in the right car. The tears Bob Wollek shed at the finish of the 1998 edition said it all. That year he finished second and saw his best chance for an overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans go out the window. Bob Wollek also had a long history with Porsche. In 30 participations, the German driver took the start 20 times at the wheel of a Porsche and was on the brink of becoming an ambassador for the German marque when he passed away.

Born 4 November 1943, died 16 March 2001 – 30 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1966 and 2000, five podium finishes (second in 1978, 1995, 1996 and 1998; third in 1989 and 1991).

Emmanuel Collard, from prototypes to GT – Crowned world karting champion in 1988 at the age of 17, Emmanuel Collard seemed destined for a charmed career in single-seaters, but instead he flourished in endurance: a factory driver with Porsche, Toyota, Cadillac and Corvette for his first participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he went on to become a mainstay in Henri Pescarolo's team. During that time, he came extremely close to victory in 2005 and finished third in 2007. Nicknamed "Manu," he is also a Porsche expert with two class wins to his credit: first with the formidable 911, then with the RS Spyder (LMP2) prototype with which he also won the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. After clinching a title in the 2011 Le Mans Series with Pescarolo Team, Emmanuel Collard became a mentor - and especially friend - to British gentleman-driver from Singapore François Perrodo, winning the FIA Endurance LMGTE Am Trophy at the end of the 2016 championship season.

Born 3 April 1971 – 23 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1995, two podium finishes (second in 2005, third in 2007).

Stéphane Sarrazin, the hunt is still on – Though he has yet to reach 20 participations in the 24 Hours, today Stéphane Sarrazin is one of the most seasoned and respected drivers in the world of endurance. Since 2007, he has routinely figured in the lead pack, but is still chasing his first win Le Mans win. Indeed, he came close twice: in 2010 with Peugeot then in 2014 with Toyota while in the lead on his way to victory he was undermined by technical problems. Stéphane Sarrazin has always been extremely fast, as attested by his three consecutive pole positions in 2007, 2008 and 200, that he would most likely trade for a win! After 13 starts as a factory driver (with Aston Martin in GT then Peugeot then Toyota in LMP1), this year Stéphane Sarrazin is taking on another challenge in a private team at the wheel of the BR Engineering BR1-AER prototype fielded by Russian team SMP Racing.

Born 2 November 1975 – 16 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001, five podium finishes (second in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2016; third in 2011).

 

PHOTO: Are we headed toward two big firsts at the 2018 24 Hours? A first win for Stéphane Sarrazin would mean a first win for a Russian prototype at Le Mans.