Reactions of class winners at Spa
Although Audi Sport Team Joest won the LMP1 class and overall victory, Rebellion Racing scored maximum points for the LMP1 team trophy and Team Felbermayr-Proton did the same in LMGTE Pro class, while Jota who won in LMP2, did score points (see explanation).
Nick Heidfeld, Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota #12: “It was a very good race! We had fun and nice fights. During my stint, I was touched by a GT and I spun, but luckily didn’t lose too much time. The management of the traffic is one of the peculiarities of the discipline of endurance I have to learn and improve. I have been lucky this time not to badly damage the car. The Michelin tyres were consistent in tricky conditions and allowed us to make very long stints. The car is nice to drive. This is very important for us to have this strong result because it confirms the high level of improvement we have obtained with the new aero kit from Lola. We'll be more confident preparing for the next race... which is Le Mans 24!”
Sam Hancock, Jota Oreca 03-Nissan #38: “Wow, what a finish - literally the stuff of dreams. We suspected the leader might need a splash before the end but we didn't want to believe it. The car was great and I did all I could, but this was VERY much a team effort, impeccable pit stops, perfect fuel strategy and the performance of my team mate Simon Dolan was simply astonishing, surely his was the drive of the race. I'm incredibly proud of him today and just so grateful to be part of this magnificent team.”
Marc Lieb, Porsche 911 #77 of Team Felbermayr-Proton : "We had a perfect strategy, we chose to put on slicks at the right time when our competitors were still on wet tyres. Richard Lietz crossed the finish line with a lead of 0.4 seconds on the Ferrari of Gianmaria Bruni. An incredible feeling for the team who worked very hard to get this result. After such a start to the season, we can be optimistic for the 24 Hours of Le Mans."
Nicolas Armindo, Porsche 911 #67 of IMSA Performance Matmut: “When you're on the tail of Marc Lieb’s Porsche, which is a 2012-spec car, you know your performance is good! We were on different strategies but it is nice to demonstrate what I can do in the wet because the differences are minimised in such conditions. However it would have been dangerous to get any closer and try something as we are not competing in the same class. The goal was to finish and I quickly realised that the tyres would not hold out for both stints if I continued at that pace so I gave a little ground, which was fortunate as two laps longer and the grip would have dropped off. The team performed perfect pit-stops and important progress was made with the driver changes, so I now know that we are ready for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Anthony still has to work slightly on his speed but without compromising the exemplary conduct he has shown since the start of the season.”
Photo: FRANCORCHAMPS (LIEGE, BELGIUM), SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, RACE, 5th May, 2012. Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz clinched the victory for Team Felbermayr-Proton in LMGTE Pro.