Memories of Le Mans: Filipe Albuquerque

Next in our series, we hear from United Autosports’ driver Filipe Albuquerque who has competed at Le Mans a total of six times. Below is what the Portuguese driver had to say. 

What is your first memory of Le Mans?
“Watching it on TV as a kid and seeing how drivers and mechanics would struggle to finish this race. The images of those guys so tired and pushing to the limit to get to the end is incredible. Also, what comes to my mind is the flying Mercedes and for me, one of the most beautiful cars: the Porsche 911 GT1.”

What is your favourite memory of competing there?
“I have a few good memories but the best one is my first ever stint in the race in 2015. The car was perfect. I was in P2 overall and I was catching the leader at something like two seconds a lap. I was just flying and at the same time I was also having fun. Back then I was beating the race lap record that was made without chicanes and on top of that, it was my birthday. But I must say I am still searching for the one and only great memory, which is to win Le Mans and to be on that podium.”

What’s your favourite section of the circuit and why? 
“It’s a bit of a cliché but I have to say it’s the Porsche Curves. The flow of that section is just perfect. I enjoyed it more when it was walls on both sides, you could see who were the true drivers. A mistake there will end your race and it can send you to the hospital, to do it really quick you need to know what you are doing.”

What is key to the perfect lap at Le Mans?
“I can’t really tell you the secret, especially when this year we will have the “super pole”, which is the top six fastest guys trying to get the pole position. Until now, key to the perfect lap was to get clean laps which is rare and many times frustrating and when you were about to do it you needed to be sure you were not making any mistakes – that is not easy when you have around 15 proper corners.”

If you could go back in time and choose to compete in Le Mans on any year, what would it be and why?
“That’s an easy one - I would choose either 1998 or 1999. It was the year with most manufacturers capable to win overall. For the driver/spectator point of view, that is the best you can have.”

If you could choose any two team-mates (dead or alive), to compete at Le Mans with who would they be and why?
“I would choose Ayrton Senna because he is my childhood idol and inspiration.  Then I would take Dindo Capello - he has a lot of experience at Le Mans plus he is mega quick and an amazing person. Those guys are impossible not to like.”

Click HERE to read about Sebastien Buemi’s experiences of Le Mans.