No other goal for Vanwall than the checkered flag

At the controls of the Vanwall Vandervell 680 #4, fifteenth on the grid, Tom Dillmann, Esteban Guerrieri and Tristan Vautier have the mission to complete the two clock towers at the Hypercar managed by the “ByKolles” team. A challenge given the difficult start to the season experienced by Colin Kolles' men.

« I think we are well prepared, however, explains the boss while the race is in its first hour. We are better than we have ever been. We should have a weak car, and we don't mind the cooler conditions. »

Also, the German manager is counting on a choice recruit in the person of Tristan Vautier. A " solid driver », confides Kolles who had to find a replacement for Jacques Villeneuve for the Le Mans event.

« I explained to his manager that he didn't have enough miles on the car to face Le Mans, that it was too important an event for us and that we could not take the slightest risk. He then asked me to organize a test in Monza; what I have done. Jacques made the adjustments to the car, and we fitted him with a set of new tires. Present, Tom Dillman did two laps, setting a base time that he was never even able to approach! »

At Sebring, the world champion F1 1997, aged 52, crashed the car. At Portimao, still in control, he went out again following the explosion of a brake caliper for which the team had then assumed responsibility although it appears that the problem was certainly caused by a non-compliance with certain procedures.

« I asked him to read the steering wheel manual », notes the manager. Finally, at Spa, he hit a GT. “ It is up to the Hypercar driver to anticipate the trajectory of the GT he is overtaking, the latter's driver not being able to drive with his eyes glued to his mirrors! In addition, we were 5 laps behind the leaders, and he only had to put in the kilometers in preparation for Le Mans. » 

« I have nothing against Villeneuve, concludes the Vanwall manager, but if you have a football team whose goalkeeper makes three mistakes in three matches... We have to find a solution! » That of a separation in this case, but now it's time for the race.

ALSO READ > How to follow the 24 2023 Hours of Le Mans?