Alonso: “We didn’t have the pace to win”

Toyota s’est bien assuré du doublé dans la 87e édition des 24 Hours of Le Mans contested last weekend, but it is once again the No. 8 Toyota of Nakajima-Buemi-Alonso which won by less than 17 seconds over the sister car n°7 of Kobayashi-Conway-Lopez. However, it was the latter who led most of the race untila slow puncture does not take away his success.

The winning crew for the second time in a row in the Sarthe may have been delighted to win again, but the disappointment for the drivers of the No. 8 Toyota inspired compassion.

“This victory was not at all expected. We didn't have the pace to win, said Fernando Alonso who became the second world champion in two different championships after Petter Solberg. We didn't deserve to win, but luck decided the outcome of the race. I have also experienced such moments in my career, notably at McLaren in 2007 and in 2011 and 2012 with Ferrari. The race has chosen its winner. »

Kazuki Nakajima, the first Japanese to win a world title in Endurance, shared the opinion of his Spanish teammate.

“Victory did not reward the best performance, admitted the Japanese pilot. We have experienced this type of situation in the past. I am still proud to win the world title after the victory at Le Mans. »

Sébastien Buemi also admitted that the speed of the No.7 Toyota quickly prompted him to play it safe.

“We knew we had lost the championship again when we started, recalled the Swiss. I immediately understood after a few laps that it would be almost impossible to beat the No. 7. I would have already been satisfied with 2nd place because our teammates deserved more success this season. I take this victory but I feel sorry for them. »

Discover the analysis of the 87th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2221 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.