“I want to make the most of these opportunities and hopefully this weekend will be the first of many racing in Le Mans”.
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Despite challenging and changing track conditions, Strakka Racing ended the second day of qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours in eighth of the 23 runners and fastest of the open-top cars in the closely-contested LMP2 class.
The race started behind the safety vehicle in heavy rain for the first time in event history, but as conditions improved and a dry line began to appear, the field were unleashed with 7 minutes of the first hour remaining. And to those who end up winning, let me say advanced congratulations, and get a lot of rest before this weekend. Over 200,000 spectators will see Esso logos adorn both the front and rear of liveries covering the two Porsche 911 RSRs competing in this year’s event.
Monsieur Dalmas, we salute you.
The field of 60 cars is now set for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which begins tomorrow afternoon and concludes on Sunday. Audi, Porsche and Toyota all experienced difficulties during the second race of the season, and it’s nearly unthinkable that any team will go the full 24 hours without any drama of note. Toyota Gazoo Racing’s two TS050 HYBRIDS are filling the second row of the grid, followed by the two Audi R18s.
As Romain Dumas said: “The target in Le Mans, obviously, is the race and not getting pole position”. I wouldn’t bet against them.
Hartley knows it is impossible to be unaffected by the hype and history surrounding Le Mans, and the pressure of being the last piece in a Porsche puzzle where no stone is left unturned.
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Cars lap up the circuit at an average speed of over 250kph with the longest distance ever covered equivalent to a round trip from Le Mans to Moscow, with insomniac supporters, fuelled by barbeques and beer, keeping in touch with the action via the circuit’s Le Mans radio.
