Qualifying : Pole sitter quotes
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Qualifying : Pole sitter quotes

 

Photo : Christian VIGNON -

 

Qualifying for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC had some surprises: the first was the Audi R18 e-tron quattro on its first appearance (LM P1), the LM P2 pole for the Oreca-Nissan of ADR-Delta, the Ferrari of Luxury Racing (LM GTE Pro pole position) and the winning return of the Porsche of IMSA Performance Matmut (LM GTE Am) in world class event. Quotes from the drivers with best times from each class, given during the press conference.

Allan McNish (SCO), driver of Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2, 2'01'' 579: "It's a great day for Audi with the first qualifying session of the career of the R18 e-tron quattro marked by a first pole. I am particularly proud as we were already with Tom (Kristensen, with whom he shares the wheel of the #2) when we set the pole on the first outing of the R10 TDI. It seems that the hybrid system gives us an edge over the R18 Ultra (which is not hybrid). But times since the start of testing between the different cars are very similar. (...) Rain is forecast tomorrow for the race! But it is always the same here since 1923! Seriously, I've never driven this car in the wet. "

John Martin (AUS), driver of Oreca 03-Nissan ADR-Delta #25 2'09'' 302: "It's great to achieve such a time for this very young team. The team did an outstanding job getting the car ready for qualifying. This gives confidence for Saturday's race. Especially since we also had time, during practice, to work on the set-up for the race. "

Frederic Makowiecki (FRA), Ferrari F458 Italia #59, Luxury Racing 2'19'' 570: "To succeed against teams such as AF Corse with its formidable Ferrari proves that we are very competitive now and shows our development since the first half of the 2011 season. With Luxury Racing we now have the potential to beat all the fast teams in LM GTE  such as AF Corse (Ferrari official), Febelmayr-Proton (official Porsche) and Aston Martin Racing (Official Aston Martin). For the race we expect rain. It is true that we have little experience in the rain but our car is very powerful especially to counter the Porsche 911 RSR (997) which, with their architecture, have an advantage on paper. "

Nicolas Armindo (FRA), driver Porsche 911 RSR (997) #67, IMSA Performance Matmut, 2'21'' 640: "While we are only guests at this World Championship race of the FIA, this pole allows us to compare against competitors in this competition. It is important to show that we can be in front. (...) We could run in the rain tomorrow. This is an advantage for our Porsche and I'm very comfortable in these conditions. Still, six hours of racing in the wet it's very, very long, and it's for everyone! "

The start of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is tomorrow (Saturday) at 14:30.

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Photo : CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS WEC, 4th MAY 2012. Allan McNish believes that the hybrid system of the R18 e-tron quattro gave him a small advantage over the R18 Ultra.

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