24h Le Mans
Nick Leventis (36 years old) is a key figure in endurance. Winner in the LM P2 class at the 2010 24 Hours, at his upcoming eighth participation at Le Mans in June he hopes to win again, but the competition will be fierce.
On paper, Strakka Racing's Gibson 015S isn't the top pick to go after wins this season, not at the 24 Hours of Le Mans nor at the other rounds of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Up against newer Ligier JS P2s and Oreca 05s, the "modest" Gibson, derived from the 2011 Zytek Z11SN, could still surprise, which even Strakka Racing driver and team manager Nick Leventis admits: "Last year the teams that entered Gibsons did well. The car we have now is older now but it is reliable, we know what we have, and I cannot imagine anything other than good results."
Reliability is the key per usual, but more so than speed? No. According to Leventis, the recipe for winning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans has not really changed since his victory in 2010. Only the competition has gotten stronger. "I think it has become a more competitive class that's evident, with many teams, and to be honest all the teams have a chance. It's a sprint race, from beginning to end, every time. One must not make mistakes, achieve good stints, have a bit of luck...I think the recipe is the same, to bring together the ingredients, and prepare well ahead of time. The 24 Hours of Le Mans must be considered a race apart, unique."
Is it impossible to achieve a tempered race and not take too many risks? "The engines are 10-times more reliable than before, so it's not good enough just to finish in order to be well-placed. One must fight. Namely since the classification of drivers has changed. Before, LM P2 was a class reserved for gentlemen, but that is no longer true. Now you see professional drivers, which makes the races even more thrilling I have to say." In LM P2, the driver line-up of three drivers must be comprised of at least one "Silver" or "Bronze" driver, and Leventis is Silver.
Leventis will be able to count on his two loyal teammates, Brits Jonny Kane and Danny Watts, with whom he has already competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times. "I lost count of the number of races we've done together. It's great to have such a full field in LM P2, it's obviously the richest class in 2016, and at a better level than since I participated. We are looking forward to taking on the challenge. Stability in the team is a strength, the three of us know each other very well, especially our respective strengths and weaknesses, and that allows us to relieve some of the pressure. During the tests, we know quickly what each wants. We've also shared great victories, and we know what it is...when we win together, we want that feeling again and again. We are motivated to hit the road to victory."
The "open" Gibson 015S boasting the number 42 - second best time at the Prologue at the end of March - is looking to win races 2016...and smoke the "closed" cars!
Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: Strakka Racing's Gibson 015S-Nissan is counting on its reliability to achieve success in LM P2. The team has a renewed driver line-up whose members know each other very well, an ideal ingredient to do well at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
