A most symbolic success for Sébastien Bourdais

Tears of joy, Sébastien Bourdais was unable to hold them back when the 24 Hours of Le Mans last Sunday, when the checkered flag was lowered on the 84th edition. A legitimate emotion for the native of Le Mans, he who had never managed to win the event, after three second places overall in 2007, 2009 and 2011 on behalf of Peugeot Sport.

It is with Ford, for the return of the brand to the blue oval in the Le Mans temple, that one of the most American of French drivers, finally achieved one of his objectives with a victory in GTE Pro. “Today is a historic moment that goes well beyond me, my passion, my relationship with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bourdais confided to us. Ford is a family that came to kick everyone's butt in 1966, and which managed to repeat the feat this year... This success is one of the most symbolic. »

The Frenchman and his teammates had to logically confront the Ferrari 488, but not the expected example, the AF Corse cars quickly abandoning all hope of success, before the 488 of the Risi Competizione of Fisichella – Vilander – Malucelli, came to interfere in the fight for victory.

“We really experienced a racing scenario that the most beautiful scripts could not have imagined: Ford versus Ferrari, a perfect remake of history, everyone engaged in a breathless fight for seconds... It was exceptional. » concludes the KVSH Racing driver in IndyCar.

Find our full interview with Sébastien Bourdais and the report and complete analysis of the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans, carried out by our special correspondents in Sarthe, in issue 2068 of AUTOhebdo, available in digital version, and on newsstands.