Many in the crowd amassed in Place de la République today were there to catch a glimpse of one man: Fernando Alonso, due to make his 24 Hours of Le Mans début in the #8 TS050 Hybrid. ​The Formula One driver is in a strange situation. He is about to tackle the French endurance classic for the very first time in a car that is one of the favourites, and many expect to see him lift the winner’s trophy on Sunday afternoon.

Making his début with such a tag around his neck is no easy thing for the Spaniard who will have to learn quickly and learn well over the week. “The Toyota team has never won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are all focused on this aim of rewriting history, helping Toyota triumph at last, and changing things. I have a feeling that the team is ready – more so than ever.”

He will benefit from his teammate Sébastien Buemi’s vision and knowledge of the circuit. “Le Mans requires good adaptability. You need to determine where the braking points are and to alter them according to circumstances, especially at night. There isn’t much lighting in the Porsche Curves, for example. So you have to find your marks and adapt, lap after lap.”

In the #7 sister car, José María López will line up for the second year running. After 2017’s retirement, the Argentinian remains philosophical: “Before we can think about winning, we have to overcome all the obstacles that the race throws up. There are many parameters that depend on us and on how we prepare, but there are also things that are beyond our control. So I’m going to drive and enjoy it because it’s a magnificent race, and do everything I can to win, of course.”

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SCRUTINEERING, MONDAY 11 JUNE. Despite his rookie status, Fernando Alonso is tagged favourite to win this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.