Vasselon: “A human error in the assembly” of the No. 7 Toyota

Do you know more about the problem that cost #7 the victory?

We have clarified that this is not a malfunction of the sensors themselves, but a connection problem. This is therefore a human error in editing. It was not detected during the race, because at Le Mans we were running square in pressure, the pressures having been more or less well controlled at 1,9 bar throughout the event.

Have you considered reversing the positions?

We asked ourselves the question, but quickly came to the conclusion that nothing was possible. At Le Mans, a puncture can be caused by bad luck, for example a piece of carbon. We were unable to trace the exact location of the puncture, but unfortunately it was damage to car number 7. As for the assembly problem, it is also linked to car no. 7.

Faced with this, the drivers of the No. 8 could have retorted to us that they had not had a puncture because they had managed the risks better and the team dedicated to the car could have moved forward only on its side which it did not There was no assembly problem.

We therefore could not afford to change the positions, the incident being totally linked to number 7. If it had been an error by the central management of the team – if I had, for example, imposed the wrong choice of tires on a car – then we could have considered this option. This is a racing incident that a team has no right to correct.

Clearly, it was the team dedicated to car number 7 that was at fault?

These are very slight mistakes, but details can take on colossal importance. What is very sad is that another element worked against the No. 7: the race interruptions. Between Safety Cars, Slow Zones and Full Course Yellow, she lost 1'47 on the #8. With this lead, even the final puncture would not have prevented him from winning.

And I repeat, if we did not change the four tires, it is because José Maria had just fitted the last set of new tires. We weren't going to put four tires having already done three stints, with the risk of punctures that this creates. The procedure was normal and relevant.

Who's missing # LeMans24 already?

Take yourself back a few days and enjoy the sound of cars on track, the sight of headlights in the dark, and the magical podium ceremony at the end of a demanding 24 hours of racing.
#Toyota #TS050 #PushingTheLimitsForBetter @FIAWEC pic.twitter.com/ISfDnOyqRU

— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@Toyota_Hybrid) 20th June 2019

The return to Lopez's stand couldn't have been easy...

No and I would like to underline the perfect mastery of José Maria and his engineer regarding the pace to maintain in the event of a puncture. The classic scenario is: a racing engineer and a driver who get angry, trying to get back as quickly as possible, the tire delaminates and destroys everything. Despite the extreme tension of the moment, they brought the car back without damaging it and secured the double. Going slowly when you're losing Le Mans is complicated, but he respected the instructions.

Did you have to boost the morale of the No. 7 drivers?

They had a very difficult time, it's still very difficult. Losing Le Mans when you have done practically everything to deserve to win is extremely hard. But already, just after the race, they had remarkable words about the team. They are gentlemen in addition to being very high level athletes.