24h Le Mans
Photo : Ercole COLOMBO - Ferrari S.p.A.
A quiet character, Marc Gené is nonetheless unmissable in the paddock. He started in F1 with Minardi (former name of Toro Rosso) at the start of the 1999 season, but the Spaniard never had the chance to show his pace in a competitive car. However he never lost contact with F1 and has been a test driver for Ferrari since 2004.
In 2007 he started a second career when he joined the ranks of Peugeot Sport at the beginning of the French manufacturer's endurance racing programme. Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2009 with Brabham and Wurz, he had the intuition to join rivals Audi in 2012, just before the announcement of the withdrawal of his former employer from endurance. Aged 38, the Spaniard has renewed both contracts for 2013.
Marc Gené, on Ferrari and Audi, "It is an honour to continue for the ninth consecutive year with Ferrari. The goal is to get a good car to win the world championship title for drivers and constructors. With regard to Audi, I am very pleased with the confidence placed in me. My only goal is to get another win at Spa and better yet, get on the top step of the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I learned a lot in 2012 and I think I'm ready to get excellent results. This year, I will run for the first time with the R18 hybrid that won Le Mans and the WEC. Audi technicians have worked very hard making some technical improvements. I'm really excited to start the season! "
Photo : CIRCUIT OF AMERICAS (AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA), F1 USA GP . SUNDAY 16th NOV 2012. Marc Gené.
