This year, two previous F1 world champions will take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jenson Button (#11 BR Engineering BR1-AER, LMP1; 306 Grand Prix, 15 wins, 2009 world champion) and Fernando Alonso (#8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid, LMP1; 300 Grand Prix including in Canada last Sunday, 32 wins, 2005 and 2006 world champion). Twenty F1 world champions have competed at Le Mans in past editions.

More former F1 drivers than ever are looking to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, like Jenson Button. "It's fantastic to have Fernando (Alonso, Ed.), Juan Pablo (Montoya, Ed.), Pastor (Maldonado, Ed.), Kamui (Kobayashi, Ed.) and Vitaly (Petrov, Ed.) to compete against again. It's really great so many former F1 drivers are coming to endurance and particularly to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the pinnacle of the discipline. This is a wonderful year for the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

Let's find out what drew these world-famous former Formula 1 drivers to the 24 Hours of Le Mans:

Pastor Maldonado (#31 ORECA 07-Gibson, DragonSpeed, LMP2). Former F1 driver with Williams and Lotus, 96 Grand Prix, 1 win: "For me, there are three reasons. First, we have the opportunity to represent very professional teams. Secondly, we get to drive outstanding cars. And lastly, this race is historic! The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a goal for everyone. Even before I started in F1 I was interested in the 24 Hours, I'm a diehard fan. Don't forget I lived in Le Mans for a year in 2005 (he represented DAMS headquartered in Ruaudin outside of Le Mans in Formula Renault 3.5, Ed.). So I'm very familiar with the race and its atmosphere. I have watched every running since then and for me it's magical to be here."

Juan Pablo Montoya (#32 Ligier JS P217-Gibson, United Autosports, LMP2). Former F1 driver with Williams and McLaren, 97 Grand Prix, 7 wins: "It is truly an extraordinary race and that's why so many drivers are interested. Fernando (Alonso, Ed.) is going after the Triple Crown (a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the Indianapolis 500 and an F1 world champion title, Ed.). For me and Jenson (Button, Ed.), we just love driving. I love car racing."

Felipe Nasr (#47 Dallara P217-Gibson, Cetilar Vilorba Corse, LMP2). Former F1 driver with Sauber, 38 Grand Prix: "I think they're are so many of us because this race has a definite cachet and makes us face new challenges. When you're an F1 driver, the only thing that interests you are Grand Prix. If you aren't in one of the top three teams, you can't aim for a podium finish much less win. Some drivers have been in F1 10 years without ever achieving good results. Endurance racing, at the wheel of prototypes, gives you a chance to win or claim a podium finish at every race. It's a new experience that former F1 drivers want to discover. Plus, this atmosphere is so much fun."  

Giedo van der Garde (#29 Dallara P217-Gibson, Racing Team Nederland, LMP2). Former F1 driver with Caterham, 19 Grand Prix, 2016 European Le Mans Series champion: "Le Mans is one of the biggest races in the world! It is so popular, we could see that at Scrutineering with people happy to come out in the rain. To me, even after F1, there's just nothing like Le Mans. I think that's why so many drivers are drawn to this race."

PHOTO (Copyright - Alexis Goure/ACO): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, TUESDAY 12 JUNE. Fernando Alonso mid-discussion with Jean-Eric Vergne who has 58 F1 Grand Prix to his credit representing Scuderia Toro Rosso.