The mention of the name Fabien Barthez will evoke a mixed response from most football fans, particularly those who support Manchester United or are of the French national team persuasion.
One of the true characters of the sport, Barthez was as well known during his footballing career for his eccentricities as he was for his match defining saves. What many supporters of the Red Devils or Les Bleus might not know however, is that after he hung up his goalkeeping gloves in 2007, he donned racing gloves instead.
Not only has Barthez taken to motorsport with a passion, but has also added a French GT Championship winner’s title to his trophy cabinet, which already boasts of Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champion’s League and FIFA World Cup winner’s medals among others. Driving a GT-3 specification Ferrari 458 Italia for team Sofrev ASP Ferrari, Barthez came out trumps in the tournament with two wins and four podium finishes to his team’s credit, scoring a total of 174 points along with fellow team-mate Morgan Moullin-Traffort in the process.
In fact, it can be said that Barthez and Moullin-Traffort absolutely dominated proceedings, as they ended the tournament a clear 21 points above their nearest rivals, including motorsport luminaries such as ex-Formula One ace Jacques Villeneuve, and nine-time World Rally Championship wineer Sebastian Loeb. After clinching the title, Barthez spoke to Le Mans Live about his seismic shift from football to motorsport, he said, “I have always been fascinated by motorsport, even when I was playing football. It always intrigued me.”
“I wanted to understand what it felt like being in a car. I had to wait until the end of my pro career to try it. That said, it’s not like football: you can still be good even when you are 35, which was my age when I stopped playing.” He added. Barthez even addressed the possibility of driving the legendary Le Mans 24-hour Rally in the future, he said, “Would I like to do the Le Mans 24 Hours one day? I don’t know yet. Maybe I won’t like the experience, or I won’t be good enough. We’ll see.” For now though, Barthez is all set to represent Sofrev – Ferrari in the newly established FIA GT Series that flags off on the 23rd of November in Azerbaijan.
Images Courtesy: DPPI
