|
EXCLUSIEF
INTERVIEW MET TOM KRISTENSEN
1.
How do you train for the 24 hour?
There is no special training for a 24 hour race. You have to make sure that you are 100 percent fit when you come to Le Mans, because the race is very demanding. During the week in France you just make sure you eat the right things, drink enough and adjust your body a little bit to the right rhythm.
2. Do you try to sleep between the stints?
Of course you try to get some sleep, but it’s difficult because you always hear the cars and you know that your team mate is fighting on the track. So it’s more lying there, relaxing a little bit.
3. Do you had an idol before you start the first le mans race?
I wouldn’t call it idol, but I admired Jacky Ickx very much – and actually I still do.
4. Is Audi coming back with the R10 to the le mans series in Europe?
This is something you have to ask Audi. My opinion is: The Audi R10 is such a fantastic race car that it should race at as many races as possible.
5. Why did you jump to the Bentley team in 2003, was it because Audi was an Privateer?
It was a great challenge to join the team and become one of the ‘Bentley Boys’ and also a great experience. As you know Bentley and Audi belong to the same group so it was clear that they joined forces to achieve the victory with Bentley.
6. Is the feeling the same after 7 victories?
No, every feeling is different and every feeling is absolutely unique. Le Mans is such a fascinating race in which you can never predict anything. You always have to expect the unexpected. This is what makes it so special and that goes also for the wins.
7. What was you’re best memory of Le Mans?
It would be unfair to name only one. Of course the first victory was a very special one because without it the others would not have been possible. But when I close my eyes and think of the moments when you stand on the podium in front of 100,000 fans and see all the Danish flags and people cheering, it’s for sure a special moment in the life of every race driver.
8. How do you see the future of you’re career?
Audi gives me the chance to start in the DTM, which is the best racing series of the world, and at Le Mans, which is the greatest race of the world. Both with great race cars and with great teams. So if you ask me right now: just leave everything as it is.
9. Do you think you can beat Peugeot at le mans in 2008, or is the Porsche Lmp2 going to surprise?
As I said before, you can never predict anything at Le Mans. Peugeot and Porsche are for sure great competitors and its great that they come to Le Mans and challenge Audi. But the Audi R10 TDI and the Audi team will be as strong as ever. So everybody is welcome to compete against us.
Tom Thank you very much, for the interview.
Jacco
Langelaar & Mike van de Bovenkamp
|
