Three questions to Oliver Jarvis (Audi)

 

 

New faces are expected to appear in the fourth Audi R18 that will race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012 (one more than in 2011). Oliver Jarvis is the first driver announced for the #4 car.

Oliver Jarvis is not new in the ranks of Audi. For four seasons, the English driver has been proven in DTM 'satellite' teams (Abt and Phoenix). Aged 28, he has already tasted endurance racing in a private Audi R10 (Kolles) with which he finished third in the first round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Okayama in 2009. The following year, he participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving the same car (retired). He distinguished himself during qualifying in the fastest rookie time (13th in 3:31.661).

What is the greatest challenge of the 24 hours of Le Mans?
"The distance and therefore also the duration of the race are the biggest differences to the race rhythm that we know from the DTM for instance. Furthermore, the sports prototype is much faster than a touring car through the corners and also on the straights due to its design. It’s a real physical challenge as the resulting centrifugal forces are much higher.”

What is special about Le Mans?
"I was captivated by the unusual environment when I raced there in a private Audi R10 TDI. Starting with technical scrutineering we are in Le Mans for a whole week before the checkered flag falls. You can’t describe the atmosphere there to anyone who hasn’t actually experienced it themselves. It’s fascinating for every fan to see race cars like the Audi R18 in really fast corners like the Porsche Curves.”

Unlike sprint races, it’s not the individual race driver that is in the spotlight at Le Mans. What’s it all about?
"It’s not about the individual but in fact about finding the best possible set-up for all three drivers. This also affects the work with the engineers and mechanics. The 24-hour race is genuine team sport. I’m personally looking forward to being able to continue a strong tradition of British drivers at Le Mans – and this with such a successful brand like Audi. This obviously arouses ambitions!”

Website: oliverjarvis.com

Julien Hergault

Photo: Hockenheimring (Germany), DTM, October 23, 2011.  Oliver Jarvis' team-mates have not yet been announced.