The winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1993 explains why his team will miss the 6 Hours of Silverstone and confirms that the season does not end there for Level 5.

In July, Level 5 Motorsports announced their intention to continue the ILMC season with Honda chassis instead of Lola. Christophe Bouchut also explains why the U.S. team will not be able to defend his chances to 6 Hours of Silverstone in ten days time.

Your team has dropped from the entry list of the 6 Hours of Silverstone ... For what reason(s)?
Christophe Bouchut: "We were forced to take this decision because we will not be in possession of our new Honda ARX-01g at the time of the race. The Lola with which we were at Imola is based in America and the time is too short for its repatriation to Europe."

When will you have your new car?
"It will be shipped to America on Wednesday following the race at Silverstone (14 September) and will race the ALMS at Laguna Seca on September 17. Before that, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 7-8, part of the team will be at Wirth Research in England, where the car is designed and manufactured. Drivers will have the opportunity to become familiar with the prototype, using the simulator."

Why the new Honda chassis?
"Level 5 Motorsports has big ambitions in the future World Championship of Endurance. So we ordered two ARX-01g because we believe it is the best chassis on the market."

What is your program for the rest of the season?
"Again, we are very disappointed not to be racing at Silverstone. However, I can confirm our participation in the last two rounds of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Road Atlanta and Zhuhai ... With the intention of winning!"

Julien Hergault

Photo: Place des Jacobins (Le Mans), scrutineering of LE MANS 24 HOURS, Monday, June 6, 2011. Christophe Bouchut.