Photo: FIA WEC/Adrenal Media. Audi Sport Team Joest's Lucas di Grassi (left) with team mates Loic Duval and Oliver Jarvis
Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Team Joest, No.8 Audi R18, LMP1, 1st overall): “We arrived at Le Mans following our win at Spa-Francorchamps. Clocking this time with the new fuel consumption and allocation restrictions that have come into force in 2016 shows what a great job the Audi engineers have done. They have introduced new ideas for the aero package, and the cars are becoming increasingly complex. The wind is blowing in the right direction, but we have not won the race yet by a long way.”
Mark Webber (Porsche Team, No.1 Porsche 919 Hybrid, LMP1): “How long you can drive on a single set of tyres is key in the race, so evaluating tyres was top priority today. It was good the weather held off for the sessions and the predicted rain didn’t come. It was a smooth test for us.”
Nicolas Lapierre (Signatech Alpine, No.36 Alpine A460, LMP2): “The main goal today was to make sure Stéphane and Gustavo completed as many kilometres as possible. Everything went well, the car seems to be quick and we were able to test different tyre compounds and a range of set-ups. But you have to bear in mind that track conditions were very particular following recent bad weather. We have lots of data to analyse before the week of the race. With several technical briefings scheduled and a shakedown session with our race engine, time will pass quickly but I will set aside a few days to rest.”
Roberto Merhi (Manor, No.44 ORECA 05 Nissan, LMP2): “To drive at Le Mans today was amazing. The track is a lot of fun to drive and I think we have showed that we have potential here. I think it is a good result for myself and the team with it being my first time here. It was difficult to manage traffic here with so many cars but I feel more confident now.”
Bruno Senna (RGR Sport by Morand, No.43 Ligier JS P2, LMP2): “It was great to come back to Le Mans after missing it for one year, and the test day reassured what we knew all along: this is going to be a super tough race in the LMP2 class and we will have to do our very best if we want to be the winners! Challenge welcome!”
Nick Catsburg (Larbre Compétition, No.50 Corvette C7 ZO6, fastest in LMGTE Am: “I’m not sure that we’re being judged on speed alone but I hope I’ve done enough to clinch my ticket to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I am so thankful to Jack Leconte and Larbre Competition for the opportunity to drive the team’s Chevrolet Corvette C7.R and experience the Le Mans circuit for the first time."
