LE MANS: A trio of Second Generation Drivers

As who will win the battle of rookies this year?

 

Continuing my overview of five promising drivers. Here’s three who’s fathers were former Formula 1 pilotes.

 

Eduardo Barrichello

DOB: September 23, 2001, Age: 24

U.S. F2000 National Championship: 2019-2020; Stock Car Pro Series

LMGT3: #23 The Heart of Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo

Eduardo Barrichello is the older son of Rubino’, nee Rubens Barrichello, who once held the record for most Grands Prix starts at 322. Before being surpassed by Kimi Raikkonen.

 

F1: Alonso Moves into P1’

 

Rubino’ won 11 Grands Prix, primarily as Michael Schumacher’s Wingman at Scuderia Ferrari between 2000-2005. Before winning twice for Brawn GP as Bloody Jense’s (Button) teammate in 2009.

 

Rubens also contested the 2012 IndyCar Series alongside friend TK’, aka Tony Kanaan and EJ Viso for KV Racing Technology. Being named Rookie Of the Year in His lone Indianapolis 500 start, after finishing 11th.

 

Just learned that Eduardo’s Mum’ is Silvana Giaffone Alcide, and that Felipe Giaffone is His uncle, and Alfonso Giaffone is His second uncle. As many will know that both drivers competed in the Indianapolis 500 during the Indy Racing League (IRL) era.

 

As Felipe is best known for being at a Babys R Us store when getting the call from A. J. Foyt to come and Bump His way into the field in 2005, bumping Arie Luyendyk Jr out of the race…

 

As Felipe’s son Nicolas (Eduardo’s cousin) was the USF Juniors champion in 2023. While Eduardo’s younger brother Fernando is also a racing driver.

 

Eduardo sent two seasons in U.S. F2000 National championship “Road to Indy” Feeder Series with a best finish of runner-up in 2020, driving for Pabst Racing. With Christian Rasmussen winning the title.

 

After racing Stock Cars in Brasilia, Barrichello moved to Sports Cars in 2025. And currently is contesting the full IMSA SportsCar Championship for Heart of Racing’s Aston Martin team this year. Along with also competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Heart of Racing

 

“Dudu”, Eduardo’s nickname, will share the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage with Jonny Adam and Gray Newell.

 

Guiliano Alesi

DOB: September 20, 1999, Age: 26

Formula 2: 2019-2020; Super formula; Super GT300-Super GT500

LMGT3: #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx, Mercedes AMG GT3

I have several memories revolving around Guliano’s father, who I affectionately call “Mean Jean” Alesi here upon No Fenders.

 

Recalling His audacity to battle for the lead of the 1990 Iceberg Grand Prix on the streets of Downtown Phoenix vs. Ayrton Senna and His championship winning McLaren! As Alesi was driving that evocative Tyrrell 018, with the first dihedral “High Nose” racecar.

 

Sending shock waves through Formula 1 when leading the race, then repassing Senna’s superior McLaren Honda V-10, Eventually finishing runner-up to Senna with a customer Cosworth DFR V-8.

 

Along with all of His talent only netting a lone Formula 1 win at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix for Scuderia Ferrari. Plus that Jordan F1 car with 200 boldly emblazoned on it’s sidepods, celebrating Alesi’s 200th Grand Prix start, which was a big deal Wayback in 2001!

 

Or being at the 2012 Indianapolis 500, where I coined the moniker “Mean Jean” when driving that recalcitrant Lotus by Judd Dallara for Fan force United. Just noticing that being the same year Rubens Barrichello was racing at Mother Speedway…

 

Guiliano’s Mum’ is none other than Kumiko Goto, a Japanese former Model, Actress and Pop singer.

 

Guiliano joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, along with Arthur Leclerc, younger brother of Scuderia Ferrari pilote Charles.

 

For 2019, He contested His rookie FIA formula 2 season for Trident with mediocre results, finishing 15th overall. A switch to Hwa Racelab the following year did little to advance His career, jumping ship to MP Motorsport at season’s end and finishing P17 overall.

 

Guiliano left the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020, after a single outing in a Ferrari SF71H.

 

After finishing runner-up in Super Formula Lites with four wins, Alesi graduated to Super formula in 2021, winning at Autopolis, before being dropped during the 2023 season, once again due to poor results.

 

Alesi subsequently drove in Super GT300 before moving up to Super GT500

 

As previously mentioned, Guiliano will share the No. 62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx entry with Addulla Al-Khalaifi and Julian Hanses. Being unaware it was Alesi’s Le Mans debut, along with Qatari Al-Khalaifi and Team Qatar’s.

 

Lorenzo Patrese

DOB: August 12, 2005, Age: 20

Italian Formula 4: 2020-2021; GT World Challenge Europe, IMSA GT Daytona

LMGT3: #74 Kessel Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo

Lorenzo’s Pop’s is former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese. Once the Ironman of Formula 1, amassing the most career starts at then a staggering 256. Before ironically being surpassed by Rubino’.

 

Now it’s a Record!

 

Lorenzo has the least seat-time of these second generation drivers in single seaters, debuting at the Mugello round. Then racing at Monza in the 2020 Italian Formula 4 championship, His debut in single seaters. Then finished third in the following year’s Italian F4 Rookie cup and 12th overall, before moving onto Sports Cars.

 

Lorenzo has been contesting the GT World challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint series since 2022.

 

Across thoust Gory Puddle, Patrese drove Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo’s for Cetilar Racing last year, and Conquest Racing this season in the IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) category.

 

Lorenzo is also a winning Show Jumping Horse rider, which He’s done for several years, along with studying International Business at University.

 

Lorenzo joins Eduardo and Guiliano making  His debut at Circuit de la Sarthe. With co-drivers Dustin Blattner and Dennis Marschall behind the wheel of the Kessel Racing Ferrari. 

Chasing after A different Prancing Horse

As this one had a much Faster top speed vs. Seabiscuit!

 

So mucho for rest ‘n relaxation over Ye Gory Christmas Holidazes’ break! As I went down a mighty Wabbit’ Hole chasing this story…

 

Since thee Older I get, the more I’m amused over how skewed my memories are. With my mind playing tricks upon Mwah! Although Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary ellen exclaimed really Tomaso! You’re wondering why you cannot remember something from thirty-plus years ago, Seriously?

 

Yet having learned via that fantastic Laura Hillenbrand book Seabiscuit, which I scribbled labouriously about earlier this year, which Y’all can read in two part harmony below…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2025/01/when-horse-outweighed-horsepower.html

 

Learning that thee heralded crooner Bing Crosby was instrumental in the creation of the Del Mar Racetrack for four legged Horses, along with the adjoining Fairgrounds. This triggered my foggy memory of attending a lone IMSA GTP race Thar’, Wayback I thought in the early 1990’s, Stee-rike!

 

As the main things I recall now some thirty-five years later is my mode of transportation. As I rode Shotgun’ from Arizona to Del Mar and back in a “loaner” Jaguar XJS 12-cylinder road car, Sweet! And how a Fool in a Lincoln Mercury thought He could keep up with us on the Highway at an extended rate of high speed; Hey Batter-Batter…

 

Whilst I recalled that the Jaguar racecars turbochargers “Chirpped” quite audibly, making me have to search for what model they were, with the No. 60 Castrol Jaguar XJR-10 with Jan Lammers winning. With Price Cobb as the #61’s chauffeur.

 

Along with walking thru the paddock and taking a picture of the great looking Miller Beer Porsche 962C. Which John Andretti, Bob Wollek and Derek Bell drove to victory at that year’s Rolex 24.

 

Not to mention the blood red, rosso No. 60 Ferrari F40 LM Being solid red, devoid of any sponsor decals, other than perhaps Pirelli tyres adorning the front windshield? Having mistakenly thought it was Jean Alesi behind the wheel of said F40 that October weekend All these years…

 

Initially, I had one Helluva time finding any pertinent information upon the IMSA GT season finale on Del Mar Fairgrounds 1.6-mile 10 turn temporary circuit in its parking lot. Where apparently the Prototypes and Saloons’, or Sedans category as Tom Gloy called ‘em ran in separate “Sprint” races. Since I eventually found a complete classification for the 22 entry IMSA GTP and Lights race. And then finally found the complete 30-car results for the separate Sedans race. Which was split evenly between both categories.

 

Also bumped into a sliced ‘n diced 45mins race airing on Youtube of the One hour ESPN Sprint race with Bruce Flanders calling the action with Tom Gloy alongside as Colour commendatore. Uhm, Oops! I meant Commentator, as I’m getting ahead of thyself! While Chris Economaki, who’d just celebrated His 69th birthday one week earlier and Ralph Sheheen were the Pit reporters.

 

The thirty car field of IMSA GTO and GTU competizione saw Hans-Joachim Stuck on Pole in the Audi 90 Quattro All-wheel Drive Terror! Which had won the previous four races in-a-row. While Wally Dallenbach Jr. was alongside in the “Blown” Mercury XR-7 Cougar. Row-2 featured Steve Millen in the first Nissan 300ZX with Roushe Racing’s Pete Halsmer, the GTO points leader alongside. And the third row of All turbocharged entreis saw Hurley Haywood in the second Audi flanked by John Morton in the Seester’ Nissan 300ZX. As Flanders said we’ll talk about that Ferrari F40 shortly…

 

Before mentioning Jeremy Dale’s name, aboard the #07 Dodge as the Pole sitter for the GTU Class. With Bob Leitzinger becoming that year’s GTU Champion.

 

Loved the interview by Ralph “Keyboard warriors R-US” Sheheen with Ferrari France’s Jean Sage regarding the Ferrari F40 LM. With the Frenchman saying that basically everything’s bigger on the racecar vs. production street car. Noting the front spoiler’s bigger. The rear wing’s bigger, etcetera-etcetera-etcetera. Also noting that the engine’s intercoolers are bigger, along with the turbochargers you guessed it – being bigger!

 

Whilst Sheheen noted that all 300 of the production F40’s which retailed for $250,00 were sold; Uhm try like $400k Ralph! And now ranged in the neighbourhood of one million dollars price-wise, Aye Darumba!

 

Micelotto, a Ferrari Specialist  built two Ferrari F40 LM’s initially from three road cars for the 1989 racing debut, with Jean Alesi debuting the Prancing Horse at that year’s Laguna Seca race in the IMSA GTO category. With the third converted “Road Car” F40 LM being a spare chassis that was never utilized.

 

Alesi later told Racer’s Marshall Pruett in 2016, that the F40 had a tendancy for spinning its Pirelli tyres profusely! And that the engine’s turbo boost had to be turned down to try accommodating for this. As Alesi noted being a young racing driver, He was loathe to heed to not planting His right foot on the “Loud” pedal…

 

Alesi presumably stunned the IMSA grid with an excellent second place qualifying effort besides Hans Stuck’s Audi 90 Quattro, before ultimately finishing third.

 

For Del Mar one week later, the Ferrari France F40 LM was driven by “Jelly-Belly”, aka Jean-Pierre Jabouille. But retired after 18-laps with mechanical “maladies”. Although Sheheen noted during a race interview that the car was once again spinning its Pirelli tyres badly and had just been passed by one of the lower tier GTU entries, Zouza!

 

Meanwhile, Dallenbach Jr. led a Mercury Cougar 1-2 sweep with Halsmer winning the GTO Drivers title. While both of the Audi’s Done Blown Up!

 

The Ferrari returned to IMSA GTO competition the following year, with Jabouille, Jacques Laffite and Hurley Haywood as its drivers. Scoring a “treble” of second place finishes.

 

Reportedly a total of 19 Ferrari F40 LM and latter (GTE) Competition examples were built between 1989-96, with the car having moderate success. Including a lone victory at Vallenlunga in 1994. Followed by back-to-back wins at Anderstorp between 1995-96, before the car was ultimately retired.

 

A lone Ferrari F40 GTE “Competizione” racecar run by Obermaier Racing in conjunction withTeam Ennea competed in the ’94 24 Huers du Mans, albeit retiring. With Anders Olofsson, Sandro Angelastri and Max “the Ax” Angelelli at its controls.

 

For 1995, three F40 GTE racecars showed up at Circuit de la Sarthe. With a pair of Ennea Ferrari Club entries, including the Pole winning No. 41, which finished P18 overall. Whilst its Seester’ car (No. 40) Did Not Finish. (DNF) With the No. 34 Pilot Aldix Racing F40 finishing 12th overall.

 

For ’96, the Ferrari F40 made its Swan song at Le Mans with a quartet of GTE Competizione entrants. Yet all four Prancing Horses had retired by Dawn. With three Team Ennea entries and a single Pilot Racing entry competing.

 

Yet nearly ten years old now, the F40 was no longer a match for the superior McLaren F1 GTR, and simply faded from the racing landscape…

 

(Rosso Ferrari F40 image source: wallpaperflare.com)