Photo : Jean-René ROGER - ACO/Nikon

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup - Autosport 1000km of Silverstone

Leader of the driver standings, French driver Stephane Sarrazin (pictured above left along with Hugues de Chaunac) could become the first driver in history of the Le Mans Series to achieve a 'solo' title in LM P1.

He has become one of the great names of endurance racing. After participating in the renaissance of Aston Martin at Le Mans behind the wheel of the DBR9 in 2005/ 2006, he has been one of the pillars of the Peugeot programme since 2007. That year, for the first season of 'The Lion', he won the title in the company of Pedro Lamy.

Driving the 908 HDi FAP he has shared his 2010 season between Team Peugeot Total (2nd of 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps with Franck Montagny) and Team Oreca Matmut (winner of 1000Km of Algarve with Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre ), which earned him the lead in the LM P1 class.

If he keeps that advantage to the end of the Autosport 1000km of Silverstone, he could add a second title to rich and diverse career that has seen Formula 1 (Grand Prix in 1999) and the Rally (Champion de France 2004). This varied career is not unlike that of British driver Vic Elford, hero of endurance and ubiquitous in many motorsport diciplines in the 60s and 70s.

Sooner or later, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans has to be the ultimate reward of this eclectic career, and there is no doubt that Stéphane Sarrazin would not hesitate to exchange his three pole positions Sarthe (2007-2008-2009) for the top step of the podium!

Jean-Philippe Doret – Translated by Dave Davies