These Rally Drivers Who Drove in an F1 Car

What do Kalle Rovanperä have, Sébastien Ogier, Sebastian Loeb, Petter Solberg, Colin McRae and Tommi Mäkinen in common? All are or have been racing drivers Rally. All of them have also won at least one world championship title, some several like Sébastien. But another thing in common links them all: they were lucky enough to have tried an F1 car during their career. An overview of the rally drivers who have taken a seat in an F1 cockpit Formula 1.

Jean ragnotti

• 1980 Renault RE20 (Paul Ricard)
• 1983, Renault RE30C, Jyllandsringen
• 1989 Williams FW12B Renault, Paul Ricard
• 1993, Williams FW15 Renault

A key figure in French rallying, Jean Ragnotti also had the privilege of driving several Formula 1 cars, notably those of the diamond brand. In 1980, he discovered the Renault RE20 on the Paul Ricard circuit, symbolizing the era of French turbo engines in F1. Back in the spotlight in August 1983, he took the wheel of the RE30C on the Danish circuit of Jyllandsringen. Six years later, he had the rare experience of driving a Williams FW12B Renault, during tests at Paul Ricard again. He repeated the experience in 1993 with the legendary Williams FW15.

Colin McRae, Jordan 195 in 1996 at Silverstone

1995 World Rally Champion, Scotsman Colin McRae fulfilled a dream during a private test at the Silverstone circuit. In Great Britain, he took a seat in the V10-powered Jordan 195. Far from the twists and turns of the stages of the WRC, he experiences, for the duration of a test drive, the experience of completing laps at the wheel of an F1 car.

Sébastien Loeb, Red Bull RB4 in 2008 at Barcelona and Silverstone

A living rally legend, Sébastien Loeb has also experienced the pleasure of driving an F1 car, notably with the team Red BullIn 2008, then five-time world champion, he discovered the RB4 on the Barcelona and Silverstone circuits during private test days. car that he drives is the one that took part in the 2008 Formula 1 season.

Petter Solberg, Ferrari F2005 in 2009 at Fiorano

2003 WRC world champion, Norwegian Petter Solberg took his place in the cockpit of the Team Ferrari for a day of driving on the Fiorano track in 2009. At the controls of the Ferrari F2005, piloted four years earlier by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, Solberg spent a day at the heart of the private circuit of the Prancing Horse brand.

Sébastien Ogier, Red Bull RB7 in 2017 at the Red Bull Ring

Multiple WRC champion Sébastien Ogier treated himself to a track day in a Formula 1 car in 2017 at Spielberg, on the Red Bull Ring track. He was able to take control of the RB7, world champion in 2011 with Sebastian Vettel, then Mark Webber's teammate at the Red Bull.

Kalle Rovanperä, Red Bull RB8 in 2024 at the Red Bull Ring

Rally's latest prodigy, Kalle Rovanperä, also steps up to Formula 1 in 2024, with a test drive of the Red Bull RB8, which allowed Sebastian Vettel to secure his third world title in 2012. This test also took place at the Red Bull Ring. The 2023 WRC champion, the Finn got behind the wheel of an F1 car, following in the footsteps of his country's many prodigies.

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Tommi Mäkinen, Williams FW19 in 1998 in Barcelona

Four-time world rally champion Tommi Mäkinen had the pleasure of testing a Williams FW19 on the Barcelona circuit in 1998. This ride was in the cockpit of the 1997 world champion. Multiple world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, whose son would later race in Formula 1, was also there.

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