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Stuttgart. The Le Mans countdown has begun for the
The world’s most famous endurance race was contested for the first time in 1923. Each year it attracts the best sports car pilots from around the globe and more than 250,000 spectators. Hollywood also set a cinematic monument with the classic: The 1970 film “Le Mans” featuring Steve McQueen in the lead role is one of the best racing movies of all time. Just as legendary as the race is the 13.629-kilometre Circuit des 24 Heures. With corners like Mulsanne and Tertre Rouge as well as the legendary five-kilometre long Mulsanne straight, the track, much of which runs over national roads, represents one of the greatest challenges motorsport has to offer.
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Free practice for the 24-hour classic is held on Wednesday, 10 June, from 16.00 to 20.00 hrs, followed by the first qualifying session from 22.00 hrs to midnight. Two more qualifying sessions follow on Thursday, 11 June, from 19.00 to 21.00 hrs and from 22.00 hrs to midnight. The flag drops for the 56-strong field on Saturday, 13 June, at 15.00 hours.
Eurosport broadcasts almost the entire race live. The live transmission is only interrupted by two reports for the “24 Minutes of Le Mans” magazine with the latest news and interviews from the track on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The three qualifying sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will also be televised live. Eurosport 2 airs the free practice live on Wednesday. Eurosport’s detailed TV schedule during the Le Mans week is available on www.eurosport.com.
Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of
Marco Ujhasi, Overall Project Leader GT Works Motorsport: “We’re heading to Le Mans better prepared than ever before. We used the test day to perfect the 911 RSR for the most important race of the year. The key to success at Le Mans is relatively simple: You have to perform at your highest level for as long as possible and make sure that your car is in top condition for the final sprint so that you can really attack. If we manage this and we get through the night intact, we should have a chance at fighting for victory.”
Drivers 911 RSR #91
Michael Christensen: “I came to Le Mans as a fan in 1999 and 2000 and I was completely bowled over even then. To now race there myself is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to the 20,000 Danish fans expected there again this year. It’s hugely motivating. Le Mans is a race that every driver wants to win. This increases the pressure but it adds to the attraction. There is no greater challenge in our sport.”
Richard Lietz: “It’s wonderful to come home again. We all feel really great at Le Mans, not least because
Jörg Bergmeister: “I’ve won Le Mans once, but that was eleven years ago. It’s high time for another victory. Le Mans is the absolute highlight of the year and it’s particularly important for
Drivers 911 RSR #92
Patrick Pilet: “Le Mans is unique. It’s a race we can’t wait to contest every year and every one of us is determined to win. Winning Le Mans makes your season an instant success – regardless of what comes afterwards. So we’ve prepared ourselves accordingly. The pre-test under difficult weather conditions was a good conclusion to our preparations. We’re fit for Le Mans.”
Frédéric Makowiecki: “Le Mans is something very special. It’s almost like the whole season in one race. When you win at Le Mans you’ve achieved the ultimate goal. Its appeal and tradition puts it on a par with classics like the Indy500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. I came to Le Mans often as a child and I always dreamed of being able to eventually race here myself one day. This fascination has grown stronger from year to year.”
Wolf Henzler: “It’s great to be back at Le Mans after a year’s break. The atmosphere is unique. No other race has such charisma. It’s a very special challenge for me to support my teammates Patrick and Fred at this critical race. I won Le Mans in 2010 with Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb. That was an unforgettable experience.”
Customer team drivers
Patrick Dempsey (911 RSR #77): “There’s something magical about coming to Le Mans. It’s incredibly special to contest this classic with
Patrick Long (911 RSR #77): “This is my twelfth time here at Le Mans. Of course I try to share as much of my experience as possible with my teammates. But once the race starts, they all know what they have to do for us to fight for victory.”
Klaus Bachler (911 RSR #88): “The day of testing was not easy because of the rain, but we learned a lot. I’m so excited to race here. Le Mans is the highlight of my year. Second place last year was one of the greatest achievements of my career. In my entire life I’ll never forget that day.”
Tous les rapports de course de la saison précédente peuvent être trouvés dans nos archives.