Le Mans Classic – Jan Lammers returns to Bentley: “I want to experience the old days”

He arrived discreetly this Friday morning in the Le Mans Classic paddock. Jan Lammers is an early riser. The Dutchman is not due to take the wheel until 15:20 p.m. for qualifying practice for Grid 1, but the winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans 1988 inspected his car at 9 a.m.!

Recognized by some expert spectators, Jan Lammers surprises: a famous driver coming to compete in Le Mans Classic is nothing new. But usually, ace drivers prefer to drive recent, high-performance cars like Group Cs, or prototypes and GTs from the 1990s and 2000s. However, the man with 24 starts at Le Mans has opted for a Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Blower… from 1929!

Jan, what good wind brings you back to Sarthe?

I have to thank the van Bremmen family (Alex and Fred. Ed.), who own the car. They are friends and they kindly invited me. I haven't been back to Le Mans since 2018 (when he competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 in a Dallara, finishing 7th in the class. Ed.), I hope I haven't forgotten the track (laughs).

Are you used to driving this type of vehicle which is so far removed from contemporary standards?

Absolutely not! I've already competed in the Mille Miglia regularly with a small Bugatti, but other than that, it's a new world for me. In fact, I've never driven this Bentley, so the tests will be a great discovery.

Will the competitive spirit resurface once on the track?

It's crazy to still be able to drive in these conditions at this stage of my life (69 years old. Ed.) We're here for fun, and to help the owners showcase this magnificent Bentley to the public at Le Mans Classic. There's no better setting to take a Bentley of this type. I want to experience what the Bentley Boys felt in that golden era of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (4 wins between 1927 and 1930. Ed.).

I bet the public will see you completely swaying in the bends (typical attitude of drivers between the wars. Editor's note)!

Let's say that if I slide too much in the corners, I'll have to lean to correct the line, indeed (laughs). Coming here to see the scenery, it might quickly bore me. So, I'm still going to push a little. I expect there to be a lot of race interruptions, yellow flags or even red flags in qualifying. If I manage to complete even 5 laps in it, I'll already be very happy!

Comments collected by Medhi Casaurang-Vergez, in Le Mans.

VIDEO - A 1925 Bentley reaches Le Mans by road for Le Mans Classic