Nick Tandy: “I just had to go through the chicane…”

The Daytona qualifying session was cut short for Nick Tandy, who ended his first flying lap into the wall. The Briton and Porsche are nevertheless happy with the level of performance displayed by the 963.

Published on 23/01/2023 à 11:54

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Nick Tandy: “I just had to get through the chicane…”

Nick Tandy finished his qualifying session in the wall (Photo: IMSA)

Qualifications mitigées pour Porsche, alors que Felipe Nasr a pris la deuxième place du Roar en s’intercalant entre les deux Acura avec la n°7, la n°6 de Nick Tandy a terminé dans le mur sur sa première tentative. La 963 n’avait jamais semblé aussi vite depuis le début du week-end, mais l’expérimenté britannique a perdu l’arrière de la LMDh à la chicane.

« First of all, I want to thank the team for putting a great car on the track for me today (Sunday), reacted Nick Tandy. The new Porsche 963 has never felt so good in such conditions, with an open track and the ability to attack hard. It was simply exceptional! I was on track to set a new personal best, I just had to get through the chicane, but it didn't work. The left front wheel locked up when braking and I ended up in the dust outside the racing line. I tried to save the car before the second curb, but the rear gave way. I lost control. Fortunately, the damage is not too significant. I'll focus on the positives: the teamwork has been great over the last few days and the car is simply magnificent. The 963 is a lot of fun to drive. »

After losing a large part of his hood and his left front end when returning to the pits, Nick Tandy was unable to restart, leaving pole position to Tom Blomqvist (Meyer Shank Racing). Without a timer, Nick Tandy and his teammates Mathieu Jaminet and Dane Cameron will start at the back of the GTP peloton, but in a race as long and unpredictable as Daytona, anything can happen.

« Congratulations to Acura, for taking the first pole position of the new GTP era, says Porsche Motorsport LMDh Plant Manager Urs Kuratle. We are happy with our result in qualifying, as we have clearly underlined that we are in the running. When the session resumed towards the end, we didn't have enough time to get the tires up to optimal temperature. Nick's accident is unfortunate for the crew of the No. 6 car, but it is in no way an indication of how the race will go. 24 hours is a long time and a lot can happen – and we're part of the action! »

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