Test Day pacesetter di Grassi says Le Mans "chooses you" to win
Lucas di Grassi, who set the pace for Audi in Sunday’s Test Day, urged caution going into the French sportscar classic by saying it’s not possible to win “if Le Mans doesn’t choose you”.
Photo by: XPB Images
Di Grassi's #8 Audi lapped the Circuit de la Sarthe in 3m21.375s, boasting a 0.895s advantage over Porsche's Mark Webber.
Audi's pair of R18s completed a total of 138 laps, equating to 1,881km, but the #7 sister car lost two hours in the afternoon due to changing a damper on the front axle.
Di Grassi said this was an example of the pitfalls of the upcoming race weekend.
"You can be in the best car, with the best team, but if Le Mans doesn't choose you it's not possible to win," said di Grassi.
"Like today, with the issue on car #7, fortunately it happened today and not on the race weekend."
"Magic of Le Mans"
Speaking of his own personal target of winning Le Mans, he believes his past form is no guarantee of success later this month.
"It's my dream since I was a kid to race here, and in my three participations I've finished second, third and fourth. There is of course that feeling that you want to win, but you need the magic of Le Mans on your side.
"We're gonna do our best, but [potential for] victory is still far, far away. The team is working very well, and I'd say the wind is blowing in the right direction."
Additional reporting by Basile Davoine
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