Collectors & Aficionados
Fernando and Jacky: The Call of the Dakar and Le Mans
Two generations, two deserts, one obsession – Alonso and Ickx measured not by trophies alone, but by the roads they chose to vanish on.
True drivers – those who love to race in any kind of competition before money or fame – find their symbols across two generations in Fernando Alonso and Jacky Ickx.
Alonso has proved it by claiming two Formula 1 World Championships, two victories at the Grand Prix de Monaco, two 24 Heures du Mans, and the 24 Hours of Daytona, to name only the most celebrated. He also attempted the Indianapolis 500, where he chased the Triple Crown – a distinction achieved only by Graham Hill, who triumphed at Monaco, Le Mans, and Indy. The Indianapolis 500 perhaps tells the story of the Spaniard’s versatility better than anything else: in 2017, at his absolute debut on ovals, he qualified fifth and went on to lead for 27 laps. With 21 laps remaining, still in contention for an extraordinary result, the Honda engine fell silent in a cloud of white smoke that ended his hopes.
