Andreas Seidl, Porsche Team - Team Principal
“The magic moment was definitely when car 19 was crossing the start-finish line and taking the chequered flag in Le Mans, securing the 17th overall victory for Porsche.
“I still remember it like yesterday. We went to Le Mans in 2015 with a clear target of battling for the overall win in our second year. All the preparation over the winter, including all decisions made regarding the car concept, etc., were only focusing on this one big goal.
“Before we went into the race on Saturday with having three cars in P1, P2 and P3 on the grid, somehow everybody was expecting us to win despite the strong competition. But inside the team we all knew as well that even with the best preparation for this race you can go there ten times and you have no guarantee to win it once.
“There was a lot of pressure on our shoulders. And then, when taking the chequered flag on Sunday as overall winner and in second place, suddenly all the pressure and tension which was building up over two years of preparation dropped.
“Seeing all the guys of the team then celebrating inside the garage was very, very, special and unique. Being part of this Porsche Team securing the 17th overall victory for Porsche is something every single member of the team is very, very proud of.
“The entire panel of the Porsche board including Matthias Müller, Wolfgang Hatz and Dr. Wolfgang Porsche were with us for 24 hours in the garage. Seeing all their emotions as well in the last minutes of the race until and after the chequered flag is also something which we will all never forget and showed us all again, why it is something special to go to Le Mans for, and with, Porsche.”
Photo (left to right): Alex Hitzinger, Technical Director LMP1; Andreas Seidl, Team Principal; Fritz Enzinger, Vice President LMP1
Gary Watkins, Sportscar Correspondent with Autosport UK
"Time and time again Marcel Fassler would squeeze his Audi past Neel Jani's Porsche into Village, only to be outgunned down the Wellington Straight. And if he was still ahead by Luffield, he wasn't by Copse.
"Two cars that derived their speed around the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in very different ways made for an enthralling battle – and a prolonged one – that will stick in the mind for a long time.
"It couldn’t last, but it needed a cheeky move from André Lotterer on Romain Dumas after the pitstops for the Audi to finally make it stick.
"The Audi driver ran the Porsche out wide on the exit of the Village right-hander. He was still ahead at Copse, and after the Becketts sweepers Lotterer was gone."
Photos: The No.7 Audi waiting to pounce on the No.18 Porsche at Silverstone; Gary Watkins talking to ACO President, Pierre Fillon.
