This year, new Formula E racer, Stephane Sarrazin will be turning 40 years of age. For many, the big 4-0 is a life turning point, It signals the beginning of a slowdown, triggers thoughts about buying a nice safe Volvo and perhaps even suggests the idea of new pass times such as crossword puzzles in the morning to keep the ole’ mind sharp. This is not at all the case for this French racer. His mind is on his 15th running in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year, with every intention of winning it.
He’s standing in the hot Texas sun at the Circuit of the Americas, preparing for the 6-hour World Endurance Championship race in a few days. He’ll be competing in the #2 Toyota Gazoo LMP1 Hybrid car, the same team that may be his ticket to the top step of the podium at Le Mans next year. His past four results with Toyota are a mixed bag: two DNFs (non-finishing results) with the driver not to blame, 2nd, and last year, 6th.
Sarrazin is positive about the team’s performance vs. leaders Porsche and Audi - just not this season, and certainly not this round in Texas. “This year we don’t have any advantage. I prefer to be realistic. This year, Porsche is so quick, it will be tough for us to fight with them. Audi is between Porsche and us, so Audi’s in the middle. Maybe we can fight with them, but they have faster cars so we’ll target the podium if we get a perfect race”, said the Frenchman.
So with not a lot of strategy to be discussed for the weekend’s COTA race, an inquiry of the past is opened. It just so happens that on this day, American driver