Quotes after the qualifying
Benoit Treluyer, nr.1 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron Quattro (LMP1):
“Early in the session it was maybe a little more difficult as it was raining and I had no references in those conditions, I didn’t know if I could put my tyres on the kerbs or whatever. I was learning in the first few laps, following Allan because I know he knows the track well. When we put the new slick tyres on in the last few moments, I said okay I have to do all I can do.
“It was pretty cool driving in the car in those conditions, dancing with the car, and I had absolutely no idea where I was. I got some traffic but I never gave up and tried to be fair to others. We aren’t the only ones on the track and you try not to ruin the lap of the others because otherwise they come back to you. You have to manage all those things. I am very happy because this morning wasn’t very good and we didn’t find the right set up. I was a bit depressed after this morning’s session because I didn’t find the grip on my tyres but finally I could set up a good time.”
Q: Do you think the four-wheel drive etro quattro system played a role in the wet as seen at Spa?
“Here it was pretty dry at the end, the track wasn’t that bad. Of course, the e-tron quattro is good in those conditions because you feel more confident in some corners when the power comes in the front. I started a bit later with my new tyres so maybe that helps. When we check the data maybe we will find out.
“The race is 6 hours and there is much traffic and anything can happen. Of course it’s better to start on pole to escape problems and it means you are not slow; your car is working well. I know the Toyota is quick and both Allan and Tom are quick here so I hope it’s going to be a hard battle for us because it’s more fun and there will be more spectators.”
Alex Brundle, nr.42 Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN -Nissan (LMP2):
“I spent a fair amount of time circulating slowly after the chequered flag waiting for the call from my engineer to say if we were on pole. I remember him saying there was one more car to cross the line, John Martin in the ADR who was on pole at Le Mans, so I wasn’t celebrating yet. To get the call from the team to say we were on pole was fantastic. My first sportscar pole and in such a big race! It’s a magic moment and I want to thank Nissan so much for this opportunity to come and show myself in a sportscar and long may it continue.”
Richard Lietz, nr.77 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 RSR (LMGTE Pro):
“At the beginning the engineer gave me the drying wet tyres; we thought it was going to be dry at the end but we didn’t expect it to be so dry we could use slicks. At the end we had a lot of oversteer with the rain tyres but it was a good lap so I said we had to try the slicks. Obviously it was the right time to do it. We got onto the last lap by one or two seconds so had an extra lap when it was drying out. Of course the little bit of traffic we had in the mid sector doesn’t matter so much if the track improves. I’m very happy for the team because of this last lap and pole position and it’s a good start after Le Mans which was disappointing for us."
Q: What about the balance between Porsche and the Ferraris?
“I think on one lap with new tyres we are closer than at the beginning of the year but anyway it looks as though they can do the race with one stop less than us. Even if we have the same lap time it’s going to be difficult because they can save one extra stop. I think if they want to save a stop they can but they have more cars than us so maybe will try different strategies.”
Stuart Hall, nr.98 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 (LMGTE Am):
“It was very difficult towards the end to judge. You wanted to save everything you’ve got for the last lap. Fortunately we made the call to come in for slicks at the right time, with about seven minutes to go and came in; the guys did a fantastic job. First lap I went off and then the lap came together. I’m really pleased for everyone at Aston Martin Racing and at Gulf Racing because it’s a joint effort this weekend. We’ve had a fairly difficult year in Blancpain and in the ELMS so coming here, and getting pole, is fantastic but it’s a long way to go tomorrow.
“It’s difficult to say if we can challenge the established GTE-Am runners but we’ve been up there in all the sessions. There are some very good Am drivers but we’ve got to run our own race and can’t get suckered into different things. There’s traditionally going to be a lot of attrition so we can’t make any mistakes. If we do everything right we can challenge.”
Photo: TOWCESTER (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, GREAT BRITAIN), SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, SATURDAY AUGUST 25TH 2012, PRESS CONFERENCE.