Spa-Francorchamps: What the drivers said post-race
Below is what some of the category winners had to say following an action-packed TOTAL 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
FERNANDO ALONSO - Toyota Gazoo Racing, No.8 Toyota TS 050 HYBRID [LMP1]
“It was not an easy race. At the beginning, we were watching Sebastien [Buemi], and we were trying to do the best job we could on tyre selection and trying to be in the race.
“Unfortunately we had a couple of issues at the pit stops and had to come in on the Safety Car for a quick splash and things like that. The race was up and down in terms of emotions and in terms of how competitive we looked, and the most important thing probably today was securing the title [LMP1 World Endurance Championship] and I’m extremely happy for Toyota Gazoo Racing that we secured enough points to become World Champion. A massive well done to everyone in the team!
"It’s been an amazing Super Season so far for all of us, and hopefully in Le Mans we can end on a high.”
MAXIME MARTIN – Aston Martin Racing, No.97 Aston Martin Vantage [LMGTE PRO]
“It was definitely a really hard race today. I’ve been racing here in a lot of conditions, but it was the first time in the snow.
“Strategy was a big point - a bit of a gamble on the tyre choice because the track was drying so fast, and then raining so quickly and snowing too.
“We did a really good job with no mistakes. Alex (Lynn] also did a really good double stint, and at the end it was really close. It’s good for me to win my first race with Aston Martin in Belgium. It’s the best place I could have done it.”
PASTOR MALDONADO, DragonSpeed, No.31 Oreca 07-Gibson [LMP2]
“I think we opted for a very good set-up in different conditions. The car behaved quite well in all of them.
“I was pretty confident with the car, with the situation, what was going on at the time on the track and we also made the right calls during my stints. The team did a great job - the mechanics and the engineers too. We’ve had no problems throughout the weekend and it was really clean.
“We’ve deserved this - we’ve been pushing and pushing over the last four races. We’re fighting still, and I’m looking forward to Le Mans.”
MATT CAMPBELL, Dempsey-Proton Racing, No.77 Porsche 911 RSR [LMGTE AM]
“We’ve had sunshine, we’ve had rain, we’ve had snow, and everything else around it! It certainly was very challenging at times, and also with tyre choice and strategy really coming into play.
“It was a fantastic job by Ricky [Riccardo Pera], especially in the last stint, and he made some fantastic moves and really won the race for us there. A great weekend all round, and thanks to Christian [Ried].
“It’s great to get another win in the Super Season - a fantastic result. Hopefully we can really keep pushing for Le Mans and get those points back.”
The final round of the 2018 - 2019 Super Season will be next month for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (15-16 June).
