Home » Blog » News » McNish starts Le Mans Series opener from front row

10 April 2010 | Posted in News

Allan McNish starts his new Audi R15 TDI “Plus” from the front row of the grid for the opening round of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard in France tomorrow (Sunday 11 Apr).

The 40-year-old Scotsman’s co-driver Dindo Capello set a fastest time of 1min 41.632secs, an average speed of 128.58mph, around the ultra-fast 3.6-mile track in today’s (SAT) 20-minute qualifying for the 41-car field staged in warm and sunny conditions.

“Dindo and I have proven over the last two days that the R15 Plus has some good fast pace,” confirmed McNish who topped the times in the final practice session earlier today (1m 42.053s). 

“This is a test session in race conditions for us. Our efforts are to improve the new car and its consistency. We’ll strive to get a nice and comfortable car to drive as we prepare for Le Mans.”

The eight-hour sportscar endurance race marks the race début for Audi Sport’s revised turbo-diesel Audi R15 TDI sports-prototype.

McNish, racing at the former French Grand Prix venue for the first time since 1988, shares the 5.5-litre Audi with Capello (Italy) who held provisional pole-position until Nicolas Lapierre (France) driving the Team Oreca Peugeot 908 bettered his time by 0.437secs.

Tom Kristensen (Denmark) partners McNish and Capello in the Le Mans 24 Hours (12-13 June) and tore the heel tendon in his left leg in January. He decided to concentrate on his forthcoming testing commitments rather than contest the Ricard race.

"I drove the new Audi R15 plus at Monza earlier this week and after just a few laps, felt really comfortable but using the clutch was the most painful thing for me because I can’t properly push down the pedal yet,” commented Kristensen.

“That’s why Audi Sport’s doctor, Christian John, the team and I decided that I would not race here at Ricard. The tests over the next few weeks are a lot more important for Audi and me than doing this race. Le Mans continues to be our big aim and we mustn’t lose sight of that.”

The Paul Ricard race starts at 10.00 (BST) tomorrow with rain showers forecasted for late in the race.

 

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