Tom Kristensen, who held the record of five victories prior to the 12 Hours of Sebring was sure to keep his position as nearest rivals with four wins each are Frank Biela who was absent, and Dindo Capello his team-mate. With eight victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and now six in the Florida Classic, 'Mr Le Mans' Tom Kristensen engraved his name a little deeper into the legend of endurance racing.

The name of Tom Kristensen is closely associated with the Audi, with whom he celebrated the tenth victory of the marque in Florida last week, yet the Dane acquired his first title in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997 with the Joest TWR-Porsche and at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1999 with BMW. "The first victory is one of my best memories in Sebring”, said Tom Kristensen. “The programme of the BMW V12 LMR was in its infancy and we did some testing at the Homestead circuit, south of Miami. We had problems with differential during the week of the race, but the Schnitzer team was able to solve it.I had never seen so much sand and dust on a track! We crossed the finish line onlynine seconds ahead of James Weaver in the Riley & Scott of Dyson Racing. "

The Scandinavian did not know it yet, but it was not to be the smallest margin of victory he would have in Florida. In 2005, he took the chequered flag 6.365 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, the smallest gap in the history of Sebring (with the exception of 2001, when Audi had sufficient laps in hand to stage a 'formation finish' ). On the second step of the podium in 2005 was a certain ... Allan McNish. "It was a fratricidal battle between the two Audi R8 of Champion Racing, but very fair play”, said the Dane. “We had so much fun racing that Allan and I decided to become team-mates. We went to see Dr. Ullrich (Head of Audi Sport) requesting it. He agreed and from that day, we have done almost every race together since. "

In June, Tom Kristensen, as always assisted by Allan McNish and Dindo Capello, will attempt to score another victory in La Sarthe: "It would be great to win for the 80th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours. The title of FIA World Endurance Champion, I think of course, but as a cyclist wants to win the Tour de France, a driver wants to write his name in the history of Le Mans 24 Hours! "