What the LMP1 Drivers said after the race

Sébastien Buemi – No.8 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, Toyota Gazoo Racing - 1st 

“Today we were not the fastest for sure. I think #7 would have deserved it much more because we made so much time with the Full Course Yellow. At the start of the race I felt it was not too bad and I was quite good in the traffic, but I didn’t really have the pace and basically we haven’t had it since Thursday.  Even without [having the pace], we still managed to win.

“We were on the right tyres to start with but I was just not quick enough and Mike (Conway) was really fast. At the end of the race we were on the wrong tyres basically and every drop of rain was making my life more difficult and we couldn’t get the tyres to work so that made it hard in the last few laps.”

Anthony Davidson – No.8 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, Toyota Gazoo Racing - 1st 

“We certainly did have the luck today and, if anyone says you make your own luck in this world, and in particular in racing, then you can look at this race because we clearly had it all today. With those Full Course Yellows, coming in twice gave us basically a minute advantage overall. They [#7 car and crew] should have had the win today.”

Kazuki Nakajima – No.8 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, Toyota Gazoo Racing - 1st 

“It was a difficult race as my two teammates said. I have quite mixed feelings actually because we were quite lucky, but at the end of the day it was a great result for the team and it is good to know we have some good luck with us this year. To head to Le Mans with this result is good for the team. It was tough to watch the TV at the end as it was really close between Sébastien and Kamui.”

Mike Conway – No.7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, Toyota Gazoo Racing - 2nd 

“The car has been good all weekend and the team have done a great job. We have been fast and really dialled into this place. The first part of the race we were quick and managed to build a nice lead, but we got screwed really by the two Full Course Yellows. It was unfortunate but we were trying as hard as we could to claw it all back. We got pretty close, but that is racing sometimes unfortunately. It is a great team result though to get a 1-2.”

Kamui Kobayashi – No.7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, Toyota Gazoo Racing - 2nd 

“Obviously we tried everything and it was a good effort from the team to score points. Our car was really fast today; we just lost the race due to bad luck. At the end I caught up with Sébastien but in the last laps it’s not fair to attack when we are running 1-2 so I just followed him. It’s nice for the team to score maximum points from the race, especially in one of our home races; it was a good effort from everyone.”

Brendon Hartley – No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche LMP Team - 3rd 

“The Toyotas were definitely quick at the beginning and, with the hot temperatures, the balance was quite a lot different to what we had on Thursday and Friday. But it was actually quite a strong end to the stint and I passed André just before the pit stop.  We were quite close to the #8 Toyota but the #7 was very hard to keep hold of today, and congratulations to them (Toyota).”

“The team did a really good job and we got another podium but just not the step that we really wanted, but we should have some good confidence going to Le Mans.”

Earl Bamber – No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche LMP Team - 3rd 

“We had good pace following the #8 but we got a slow puncture and could feel it moving at the rear so we had to stop. After that we had a good stint and they were behind us; from there we got a bit lucky as we got into the window for the Full Course Yellows which helped us get back up there through the ranks to get another podium. Generally the car was good, not quick enough for the win but there was a top job from Timo and Brendon so we are now looking forward to going back to Le Mans. The car is feeling good on the low-downforce so we are looking forward.”

Timo Bernhard – No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche LMP Team - 3rd 

“The puncture threw us back a bit and we should have been a bit closer. It is important to gather these points before Le Mans as, last year after Le Mans, we had just 3.5 points and we are in a better position now.  Two podiums is okay and we have good information for Le Mans where I am sure the fans will see a very, very close fight and it is one I am looking forward to.”