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Video: Watch an F1 driver hurl a Cobra down tiny French roads

31st May 2023
Ben Miles

He won three F1 races, stood on the podium 15 times and finished second at Le Mans twice, but all of that probably seemed simple to Thierry Boutsen when he lined up to attack some tiny French roads in a Shelby Cobra.

The Tour Auto returned earlier this year, with stunning classic cars, of road and race heritage, ready to race from the North of France to the South, taking in circuits, regularity checks and flat our rally staged in the process.

Taking part this year was the former Williams, Ligier and Arrows racer, in the aforementioned V8 stunner. And boy does this combination of car and driver both sound and look incredible.

As he threads the big Cobra throught these feindishly narrow lanes, one thing you will not be able to mistake is his iconic, Stefan Bellof tribute helmet bobbing around in the rear-view mirror.

What do F1 drivers do when they’ve long retired? Well, the kind of things that we would do if we had the time and money.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Screaming Chevron-Ford monsters Philip Island

  • Thierry Boutsen

  • F1

  • Cobra

  • Tour Auto

  • Peter Auto

  • Elevenses

  • Onboard

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Video: Watch an F1 driver hurl a Cobra down tiny French roads

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