After setting the second fastest time in qualifying, Thiriet by TDS Racing did a perfect race in terms of strategy and overcame weather conditions. At the end, the #46 Oreca 05 Nissan crossed the finishing line as a winner.
So close from the pole position…
From Friday, the car was in the right pace. The three drivers, Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet and Ryo Hirakawa set the 3rd and 6th fastest time of the different free practices. The team also gave time to the Japanese driver to learn the track. At the qualifying session, Mathias, at the wheel of the #46 Oreca 05 – Nissan set the second fastest time, only 35 thousandths behind the pole sitter.
An excellent strategy
At the start, Thiriet secured his second place. He resisted to a professional driver, following him, for nearly 15 minutes, before being overtaken. Pierre succeeded in staying close to him and when he pitted, he was 3rd. Back on the track at the same place, he quickly became second. He went on his perfect stint and even set his fastest time after one hour and fifteen minutes of race. He managed to maintain a gap which never exceeded five seconds with the leader of the race.
After one hour and a half, Ryo Hirakawa handed over and took the lead. He saved some fuel and maintained the gap with the leader of the championship which followed him. At the end of his stint, he handed over to Mathias Beche who stayed in front of the pack.
However, one hour before the checkered flag, a storm broke out above the circuit. The track was sodden; a Full Course Yellow was even put in place. Mathias even spun by trying to accelerate. The conditions were so bad that he preferred to go back to the pits to put some wet tyres. He was still in the lead of a race that was under safety car statement. The Race Control decided to finish the race in these conditions so Mathias crossed the finishing line as a winner.
After the technical issue at Silverstone, this victory put Thiriet by TDS Racing back in the race of the European Le Mans Series title. Moreover, this result comes along at just the right time a few weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 18th / 19th), one of the two objectives of the French team (with the European title)
Pierre Thiriet: “I had a good start, following the pole sitter very closely. I tried to overtake him but I preferred to keep my position, without taking any risk. I succeeded in keeping up the pace during my first stint. The traffic on track was not very easy to manage and once again, I took no risk, the race was so long. I am happy with my two stints; I managed to give the wheel to Ryo being not far from the lead of the race. Then, my two team mates did a really good job to get this first victory.
It is a great team victory and a revenge after Silverstone. Unfortunately, we do not narrow the gap with our most serious competitors but the season is long. Now, it is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Everything runs on well together: the team, the drivers, and the car. We are reassured about our level of performance but Le Mans is Le Mans: a very special track and an amazing race!”
Mathias Beche: “First of all, congratulations to the team, the mechanics and the engineers. They did great pit stops, the strategy was very good and my team mates did a great job. It was a real advantage to start from the front row. Pierre had a great fight, he drove really well, and he was really impressive. Then Ryo did a great stint too and he managed to get some laps back. It was very important for us for the strategy and he did very well. Then I took the car and we had already a good gap on G-Drive Racing. I just had to keep safe and do a solid job. As soon as I saw the rain, I took no risk at all. It is unfortunate for the fans to have a finish like that but it was better, I think. If the race had started again, we would have had a good fight with Giedo even if I was one minute ahead. It was the right decision to finish behind the safety car. It is a great result for us after the disappointment of Silverstone and we will now focus on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. »