Stéphane De Groodt will drive a Formula 1 car at Monza

Stéphane De Groodt will settle in a Formula 1 after the Monza Grand Prix (Sunday September 11), September 14, relay our colleagues at DHnet.be. The 56-year-old Belgian even set himself quite a challenge.

“I was recently invited to compete in two racesAlpine A110 Cup in France and it gave me back the taste and adrenaline of competition, testifies Stéphane De Groodt. As a joke, I said that my dream would be to one day drive an F1 car and that I imagined being able to lap within ten seconds of Fernando Alonso. And I was told: rubbish! »

The actor and comedian has already had the right to a session in the simulator at enstone where Esteban Ocon gave him his advice. “I can’t believe the incredible opportunity that has been offered to me. I have already started training in the simulator at Enstone where I received advice from Esteban Ocon. And this week, I will have the opportunity to regain my bearings by car behind the wheel of an F4. »

A former pilot career

The actor and comedian's passion for motorsport is not new. He had even started a career. In 1992, he was on the podium three times in the Belgian touring car championship with a Renault Clio. In 1995, he launched into Formula 3000 with Team Vortex. 

Away from the circuits until 1998, he then joined the Belgian Procar championship for a third place in the championship and six podiums (including three victories, two pole positions, two fastest laps in the race) at the wheel of a Honda Integra Type-R. He finished once again in third place in this championship in 2000 after freelancing in Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 1999. 

2001 marked Stéphane De Groodt's best season when he became vice-champion of the Benelux in Formula Ford 1600 (five victories, six pole positions). In 2002, he took sixth place in the Korean Super-Prix, won that year by Olivier Pla, now in WEC with Glickenhaus and IMSA with Whelen Engineering Racing. With the Formula 3 Eurocup and the Renault Habo da Costa championship, these are the Belgian's last events before embarking on the career he is known for.

This old life and this passion for motor sports will be transcribed in a 52-minute film which will be broadcast on Canal +. Supported on site by Jacky Ickx, will Stéphane De Groodt manage to lap within ten seconds of Fernando Alonso at Monza? After that he should find theAlpine Cup with the Monza round at the end of September (23 to 25).

ALSO READ > Alpine responds on track at Spa