Stéphane de Groodt behind the wheel of an Alpine F1 at Monza

Stéphane de Groodt will have the chance to drive an Alpine F1 car on September 14th. The 56-year-old Belgian actor has even set himself the challenge of doing better than Alonso by 10 seconds.

To prepare for this opportunity that is presented to him, the Belgian competed in two Alpine A110 Cup races and was able to try the Alpine simulator in Enstone. He received advice from the French driver Esteban Ocon before taking off on the Monza track. He will also have the opportunity to drive an F4 to gain experience.

« I was recently invited to participate in two Alpine A110 Cup races in France. Jokingly, I said that my dream would be to drive a Formula 1 car one day and that I imagined being able to lap in less than ten seconds of Fernando Alonso. And they replied to me: challenge accepted!

» I was recently invited to compete in two Alpine A110 Cup races in France. Jokingly, I said that my dream would be to drive a Formula 1 car one day and that I imagined being able to lap in less than ten seconds of Fernando Alonso. And they replied to me: challenge accepted!

« I can’t believe the incredible opportunity that is being offered to me. I have already started training in the simulator in Enstone where I received advice from Esteban Ocon. And this week, I will have the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 4 car and reacquaint myself with it.

»

An old driver career

The Belgian actor and comedian has always been passionate about motor racing. He even had a professional racing career that spanned from the 90s to the early 2000s.

He starts in the Belgian touring car championship in the year 1992. In his first year, he finishes 7th in his first championship with 82 points and a few podiums. He finally wins his first victory in the following year in the same championship.

It was in 1995 that he began his single-seater career. But he only competed in 2 races that year in Formula 3000 with the Vortex team and scored no points. After this short stint, he took a break for 3 years.

In 1998, he returns to motorsport in the Belgian Pro Car, where he finishes 3rd with podiums and poles. He makes 3 appearances in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 1999 before returning to the Belgian Pro Cup in 2000 and finishing 3rd once again.

He also participated in the Dutch Formula Ford 1600 that same year and finished 8th, and then 4th the following year. He became the vice-champion of Benelux in 2001 for Geva Racing.

He ended up spending 3 years in single-seaters, starting with the Formule 3 Eurocup where he only did one race, the Super-Prix de Corée, and the Formule Renault Habo da Costa championship.

A YouTuber also behind the wheel of an F1 car.

The YouTuber Squeezie, with over 17 million subscribers, will also have the chance to take the wheel of an F1 car. He will drive the 2012 Lotus-Renault on the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The French YouTuber who organizes an F4 race with other YouTubers on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit will be able to prepare for this event during this trial. An opportunity for him to introduce the sport to his community.