Zinedine Zidane tries daring new sport as football legend takes on race where speeds can hit 250mph
ZINEDINE ZIDANE was considered a artisan when it came to football, but now he has tried his hand at a new job.
The France football legend made a special guest appearance at the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans, which starts at 3pm UK time today.
Zidane
— 24 Hours of Le Mans (@24hoursoflemans) June 15, 2024Alpine Alpenglow Hy4
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Part of the Triple Crown in motorsport, the race holds a special place in French sporting history, much like the World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner.
And Zidane, 51, has now etched his own place into that history thanks to his appearance at Le Mans.
Zidane has been handed the special honour of waving the green flag to signal the start of the non-stop 24-hour race, in which 62 drivers compete.
But before he took to flag waving duties, Zidane took his place behind the wheel of an Alpine Alpenglow Hy4.
He could be seen in a white racesuit walking on to the track before putting on his helmet to get in the car.
Speaking before the race, Zidane said: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is beyond compare. It’s an iconic race for anyone who loves motorsport, for people all around the world.
“It’s a source of immense pride for France. To actually be there will be a first for me, and I’m extremely honored to take on the role of starter.”
Zidane was then seen getting up to speed on track.
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Alpine claim the prototype car, equipped with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged internal combustion engine fuelled by hydrogen, can hit a top speed of 167mph.
However, that is some way short of the highest speeds recorded in the race itself.
The highest speed ever recorded at the event was a staggering 250mph achieved by Roger Dorchy in a WM Peugeot P88 in 1988.
In the modern era drivers can still get up to terrifying top speeds of up to 227mph despite the addition of chicanes.
Zidane’s honours list as a player also includes helping France to win the Euros in 2000 – the last time Les Bleus won the tournament.
Euro 2024 kicked off last night with hosts Germany thumping Scotland 5-1.
France, who lost in the Euros final to Portugal in 2016, kick off their campaign against Austria on Monday.
France Euro 2024 guide
FRANCE are the one nation all England fans are truly afraid of.
They are many punters’ favourites after knocking the Three Lions out of the 2022 World Cup and will be hoping to do much better than at Euro 2020, when they lost to Switzerland in the last 16.
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps
Coming up to 12 years in the job, the only thing missing from his CV is a European Championship.
STAR MAN: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe’s PSG may have underachieved on the European stage but he remains France’s most deadly threat, with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup final hat-trick to his name.
How France attack
Expect to see France play in a fluid 4-3-3 – which becomes 4-2-3-1 in possession – throughout the tournament.
Giroud acts as the focal point in the attack with the two wide players and Griezmann as No 10 supporting.
How France defend
We can expect to see France defend high with an emphasis on winning back possession as far up the pitch as possible.
France will stagger their defensive shape when the opposition are in possession.
Read the full France Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags.
After retiring from football in 2006, Zidane became manager of Real Madrid in 2016. He left in 2018 before returning in 2019 where he stayed until 2021.
Across his two stints Zidane won two La Liga titles, a stunning Champions League three-peat between 2015 and 2018, the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in 2016 and 2017.