LMS: Podium finish for Charouz Racing System LMP1 debut - 06.04.2008
A great debut – that is the view of the pundits and fans after the new Aston Martin powered LMP1 prototype, racing in the red, white and blue of Charouz Racing System, earned a place on the podium in the 1000 km race at Barcelona. Jan Charouz and Stefan Mucke finished third overall after a faultless drive during the six-hour race, having started on the second row of the grid.
The performance of the Charouz Racing System team attracted attention from the very first practice session at the Catalan track. The car quickly indicated that it would be the fastest petrol car and that it had the pace to place some, if not all of the powerful Peugeot and Audi diesels under pressure.
The elegant closed prototype was second over the combined practice sessions and fourth in qualifying. The methodical approach of the Aston Martin Racing team, who prepare the car in cooperation with the Czech team, paid dividends and both drivers were able to maintain a strong and consistent pace throughout the race. The team also earned admiration for its smooth pit stops, all of which were completed without drama.
David Richards, chairman of both Aston Martin and Prodrive, was on hand to congratulate Charouz Racing Systems on the team’s second best result since it entered the world of the endurance racing last year. The team’s best finishing position is still second in the Valencia 1000 km, where Charouz and Mucke drove with Alex Yoong.
Jan Charouz: “It is an amazing feeling. We all had hoped that it would be good, but to be on the podium in the first race? It had been just a dream. My big thanks to the whole team who did a fantastic job, not only here at Barcelona track but also during testing. I am really very happy.”
www.jan-charouz.cz
Stefan Mucke: “Simply fantastic, I do not think that other words are needed. It is unbelievable how everything worked. Our team was good even during our debut season but we have moved forward. The close relationship with Aston Martin Racing is excellent. I did not have a single problem during the race, the car worked faultlessly. I can not wait for the next race at Monza!”
www.stefan-muecke.jgsm.de
Antonin Charouz, Team principal:“It is difficult to find right words... Perhaps the best expression is how David Richards has been happy and moved by the performance. My thanks to our whole international team. Hard work paid off.“
www.racing.charouz.cz
George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing Technical director: “The whole team the extremely pleased with the result and probably a bit surprised, truth be known. It was a great performance by both drivers and the rest of the team . Although we´ve learned a good deal through our GT1 programme it’s really encouraging to discover just how well that knowledge and experience carries over into LMP1. This result bodes well for the future, but we shouldn’t forget there’s still a lot to do before we can threaten the front running diesels.“
www.astonmartinracing.com
Results
1 GENE Marc, MINASSIAN Nicolas (Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1) 215 kol
2 PREMAT Alexandre, ROCKENFELLER Mike (Audi R10 TDI LMP1) -1kolo
3 MUCKE Stefan, CHAROUZ Jan (Charouz Lola Aston Martin LMP1) -3 kola
4 COLLARD Emmanuel, BOULLION Jean-Christophe (Pescarolo Judd LMP1) -5 kol
5 CAPELLO Rinaldo, McNISH Allan (Audi R10 TDI LMP1) -6 kol
6 VAN MERKSTEIJN Peter, VERSTAPPEN Jos (Porsche RS Spyder LMP2) -7 kol
7 PRIMAT Harold, TINSEAU Christophe (Pescarolo Judd LMP1) -7 kol
8 BELICCHI Andrea, POMPIDOU Xavier, ZACCHIA Steve (Lola Judd LMP2) -8 kol
Startted 48 cars
Le Mans Series 2008
1000 km Barcelona – 4 – 6 April
1000 km Monza – 25 – 27 April
1000 km Spa – 9 – 11 May
1000 km Nürburging – 15 – 17 August
1000 km Silverstone – 12 – 14 September
www.lemans-series.com