What the drivers said after FP1 at the pre-event press conference

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

“The car felt good in Free Practice 1 and everything we learned at the Barcelona test we transferred over. What we saw in FP1 was quite remarkable and shows how close things will be this weekend.

“To have just 0.3s between the cars is great and we know it will be really tight and it will be great for the fans. It is such a cool track to drive these cars at and I really enjoy it.”

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

“Le Mans was obviously a bit of a disappointment. It was a shame but at least we got to the end and collected some points.

“The first two races went well and we have had a good car through all the races so far this year. Today we have seen the new high-downforce Porsche so we are all fighting on a more even playing field now.

“Last year we were kind of in-between the two tyres (compounds) that we had and we still don’t fully understand why it has been a bit of a bogey track for us. Personally it is a track I really enjoy driving on.”

David Cheng – No.37 ORECA 07 Gibson, Jackie Chan DC Racing

“It has been a real busy time after Le Mans as we had a lot of media and sponsor obligations in China. We took Alex (Brundle) and Ho-Pin (Tung) out to Shanghai with the trophies and we were able to surprise Jackie (Chan) on the closing night of his film gala which was great.

“We then went to the UK and did Goodwood [Festival of Speed] which was really special too. We then went back to China and did some more events. We are really proud as a Chinese team to have achieved what we have achieved and endurance racing is really beginning to make its mark in China.”

Vitaly Petrov – No.25 ORECA 07 Gibson, CEFC Manor TRS Racing

“In the first two races we have been understanding the set-up of the car and it has been difficult to get up to the pace. We did a lot of work and testing to prepare for Le Mans, and there we were quick and qualified in second place and the speed was there.

“Here in Germany we think we will have good speed and we will focus on getting a good result.”

Stefan Mücke – No.66 Ford GT, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK

“As we have seen at Le Mans all the LMGTE Pro class is very close together. Now we have a slightly different BoP here which has given us some changes from Spa to now but we will just have to wait and see how things go in qualifying and the race for our car.”

“It is a new system and I think it is alright but we have to see what the outcome is of this one. It is a bit unknown for us but it is a new step forward and no-one can complain because it is an automatic system now.”

Marvin Dienst – No.77 Porsche 911 RSR, Dempsey-Proton Racing

“It is an absolute pleasure for me to be racing in the WEC as it was a big goal from my side to be racing here and I have already achieved it. I am only 20 years old and already I have the opportunity through Proton to race here so it is a great honour and a big opportunity and so far I am enjoying every moment of it.”

“Before this year I had never done longer races than the GT Masters which are one hour with just two drivers. I really appreciate the chance to race at this high level.”