Former Formula 1 Drivers Set to Tackle 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours

The prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race continues to be a popular destination for drivers transitioning from Formula 1, with a notable contingent of former F1 stars confirmed to compete in the 2025 edition. This annual event highlights the enduring link between the pinnacle of single-seater racing and the demanding world of prototype and GT competition. A diverse group of drivers who once graced the F1 grid will be vying for victory in the Hypercar class, the top tier of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Among the most prominent names is Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, who brings vast experience from his 306 Grand Prix starts. Button is set to race with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, showcasing the continued appeal of endurance racing to champions. He is joined by fellow former F1 racers across various teams. Toyota Gazoo Racing features a strong line-up of ex-F1 talent, including multiple WEC champions Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley, along with Kamui Kobayashi, who also holds a dual role as team manager, and Nyck de Vries, who had a brief F1 stint in 2023. This reflects Toyota's long-standing reliance on drivers with F1 backgrounds. Ferrari's factory WEC effort sees Antonio Giovinazzi return, having won Le Mans in 2023 shortly after his F1 departure from Alfa Romeo. Robert Kubica, a one-time F1 race winner whose F1 career was dramatically impacted by injury, will also compete with a Ferrari customer team, AF Corse, adding another high-profile name to the grid. Peugeot TotalEnergies fields a trio of drivers with F1 experience: Jean-Eric Vergne, a double Formula E champion since leaving F1, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Paul di Resta, who also had a significant DTM career. Their presence underscores the trend of drivers finding success in other high-level motorsport categories. Other former F1 competitors confirmed for Le Mans include Kevin Magnussen, who recently transitioned from a long tenure at Haas, Mick Schumacher, who moved to WEC with Alpine after his time at Haas and as a Mercedes reserve, Sébastien Bourdais, a multiple ChampCar champion before his F1 switch, Will Stevens, Jack Aitken, Pascal Wehrlein, and Felipe Nasr. Wehrlein and Nasr are set to make their Hypercar debut at Le Mans with Porsche Penske Motorsport, having previously found success in Formula E and IMSA respectively. These drivers, having honed their skills in the intense pressure cooker of Formula 1, bring a wealth of speed, technical understanding, and strategic thinking to endurance racing. Their participation not only elevates the profile of the Le Mans 24 Hours but also provides them with exciting new challenges and opportunities in their motorsport careers.