Le Mans – Loïc Duval: “As magical as it is cruel”

Just like the R18 e-tron quattro n°7 and n°9, the Audi n°8 of the Lucas di Grassi trio-Loïc duval-Oliver Jarvis had a good start to the race, staying without forcing in the wake of the Porsche 919 Hybrid. Unfortunately, shortly before 18 p.m., an accident shattered their hopes of victory. So behind the wheel, Loïc Duval tells us.

“At the start of my lap, my engineer informed me of a “Slow Zone” (portion considered dangerous and therefore limited to 80 km/h. Editor’s note) at the approach to the Indianapolis bend, says the Frenchman. After passing the second Mulsanne chicane, he told me that the race direction had just informed him that the track was now free. Arriving on the outskirts of Indianapolis, if the light panels flash yellow, the flags waved by the marshals are green. However, we were warned that these took priority over any other information. I learned later that the race direction announced on the radio that it was necessary to ignore the light panels at that time. Between the green flag and the information my engineer gave me, I'm staying on track. In my car, the track being declared clear, nothing is indicated. But then, in the space of a few tenths of a second, I found myself with a wall of five cars in front of me, some of them idling despite the green flags. One pilot, at least, must have gotten confused. For me, the incomprehension is there. Kévin Estre (Ligier JS P2 no. 34. Editor's note), Marco Bonanomi (Audi R18 e-tron quattro no. 9. Editor's note) and I stayed at full throttle. I tried to pass to the right, in a mouse hole, but a contact on the left rear with a Ferrari sent me to the rails. If, in our misfortune, we were lucky enough not to suffer too much damage, we lost a turn and left our hopes of victory. »

Fourth on arrival, disappointed, the 2013 world champion will be keen to shine during the last five rounds of the WEC, for' “help Audi seek a third world crown. » As a reminder, the next round of the WEC, the 6 Hours of the Nürburgring, will be held on August 30.