Despite a fantastic race of Jonathan Hirschi and Pierre Thiriet, the team Thiriet by TDS Racing had to content itself with the third position while the victory was within the reach. Unfortunately, a decision of the Race Control came to jeopardize the well organized strategy!
Starting from the sixth position of the grid, Jonathan Hirschi got off to a good start, overtaking three cars before the first bend. After one lap, the safety car came on the track because of an accident. Moreover, the rain appeared to disrupt the good progress of the race. The Swiss driver came to the pits to have rain tyres. Back 7th on the track, he spent his two stints to go back up his opponents one by one. Meanwhile, most of the main competitors did mistakes because of a very tricky track but Jonathan remained focused on his objective! Finally, thanks to a great job of the team and good lap times, he took the lead !
At mid-race, weather conditions were so bad that the Race Control decided to get the safety car enter in. The race was neutralized for 50 minutes. Unfortunately, the team called Jonathan to the pit because Pierre Thiriet had also to respect his driving time.
The driver change over went well and Pierre was in the third position of a race still under safety car. Worse ! Forty minutes before the end, the Race Control decided to stop the event, the track conditions deemed too dangerous. Faced by this decision totally out their hands the line-up Jonathan Hirschi / Pierre Thiriet finished third instead of what should have been a guaranteed victory.
Jonathan Hirschi : “I was sixth on the grid and I took a very good start. At the first corner, everything went well and I was third. It is true that the track conditions were not ideal so I did not take any risks. It is the first time I drive a prototype in the rain and I really had a good feeling. Now, regarding dry conditions, I still have to improve because the level of driving is very high ! The result, is a little bit frustrating because we led the race without making any mistakes despite the tricky conditions of the track. And we finished only third! ”
Pierre Thiriet : “I am very satisfied with Jonathan’s stints. He really did a great job. He managed to have more than a lap ahead. Unfortunately, we were annoyed by the new rules for the safety car which made us lose all our advantage. We finished 3rd and it is a good result regarding the championship. But when you fight for the victory and you only finish third, you can’t help but being disappointed! Points will only be counted at the end of the season after all! It is not our job to make the rules nor to decide. It is certain that if races are stopped as soon as it is raining, you have better stop motor racing ! But the decision was taken and it is not in our favour! Let’s hope when they take such decisio next time, it will be in our favour. That’s racing!”
Xavier Combet, team manager : “I followed this race as a spectator and I realized that the track conditions were difficult. However, I did not understand why the race was suddenly stopped after 75 % of racing time as the new regulation plans without leaving a chance to people who led a big part of the race ! The result is what it is: some are happy, others are more unfortunate! We are part of the second category today! It’s a pity that it ends like this. I think they should have more flexible and should have left more leaway. I am asking myself a question here: would they have stopped the race had it been the Le Mans 24 Hours ? I would like an answer! “
Source : Thiriet by TDS Racing