However, despite the ELMS series’ name, this year will be Fassbender’s first time at Le Mans. First-timers need a test in the simulator, followed by a very thorough safety briefing. “Michael may not be the most natural talent, but he’s a hard worker,” says his teammate Richard Lietz. “That’s why I’m putting in such a big effort to help him and prepare for the challenge of the Le Mans 24-hour race. I quickly recognized his potential during our first season together.”

If you’ve never watched Le Mans, this year might be the year. It’s a great series to leave up in the background, and if you’re in the States, you can catch the often-hectic twilight hours of the race during normal daylight hours due to the time change. Plus, now you’ve got someone to root for.