Le Mans – Allan McNish ends his career

Thirty-two years have passed since its debut in karting. 32 years during which Allan McNish has built up an incredible track record, the first of which will remain the one he gleaned in 1988 in Formula Vauxhall Lotus. And if he played the 2002 season of Formula 1 On behalf of Toyota, c’est bien en Endurance that the Scotsman, who will celebrate his 44th birthday on December 29, has built his legend. And for good reason, in addition to his three victories at 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1998 with Porsche puis en 2008 et 2013 avec Audi, il a également été couronné à trois reprises en American Le Mans Series sous les couleurs de la firme d’Ingolstadt, en 2000, 2006 et 2007. Avec Audi, il a réussi par ailleurs à triompher quatre fois aux 12 Heures de Sebring (2004, 2006, 2009 et 2012) et à Petit Le Mans (2000, 2006, 2007 et 2008). Une carrière en Endurance clôturée de fort belle manière par un titre de champion du monde décroché le 10 novembre à Shanghai, en Chine.

“I found the ideal time to end my career in LM P with Audi, underlines the main person concerned. With my teammates Tom Kristensen and Loïc duval, I have just finished my most prolific season in Endurance (with a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the title of world champion. Editor’s note). Having also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I cannot wish for more than what we have achieved this year. I can look back on a fantastic career in which I have left no goals unachieved, and I look forward to facing the new challenges that the future will present to me. Now I will have more time to devote to my family. But I will continue to be part of the motorsport family through various roles, but more as an Audi racing driver. »

One thing is certain, Allan McNish will remain close to Dr Wolfgang Ullrich's team, the team he joined in 2000. “We respect Allan's decision to step down at the peak of his career, blurted Dr. Ullrich. At the same time, it is a separation that is difficult for us. We are all well aware of the number of successes Allan has achieved. We will never forget how valuable his contribution was to the development of our racing cars or how great his team spirit was. He has always demonstrated great professionalism, loyalty and unprecedented commitment to enabling Audi to achieve its goals, and this goes beyond motorsport. We regret that Allan will no longer be racing with us, but are pleased that he will remain associated with Audi Sport and the Audi brand. »

A year and a half after the retirement of Rinaldo Capello, another icon of the four-ring brand is retiring. The Italian, who is also the only one to have driven all the prototypes defending the colors of Audi Sport Team Joest (the R8C was fielded by Audi Sport UK), from the R8R to the R18 e-tron quattro and so on. by the R10 TDI, the R15 TDI, the R15+ TDI, the R18 TDI and the R18 ultra. In 11 seasons under Dr. Ullrich, McNish won four titles, 29 victories, 18 pole positions and 17 fastest laps. “Obviously, Allan will be greatly missed, concludes Chris Reinke, head of LM P. But finding the ideal moment to end his career is all about him…” A page is turning at Audi Sport.