Interview with 24 Hours of Le Mans Champion Darren Turner

Q: Can you sum up your season so far?
“This season is definitely more competitive than last year and it is good that there is another Aston Martin on the grid.  TF Sport are doing a very good job at the moment and leading the championship.  We ended up with a podium at Silverstone and at Monza so it’s been alright but you can see from the points in the championship how competitive it is.  You need to be getting into the big points at every race and we didn’t have a great race at Red Bull Ring, which has put paid to the points we have so far.  But there are still three races to go, we were on pole position here last year and we have good pace.”

Q: Will the addition of the chicane on the Mistral Straight make any difference to your race on Sunday?
“I don’t think the addition of the chicane that it will make any difference to the pecking order; I think it is going to be close. I don’t think it will suit anyone in particular and advantage or a disadvantage.  We just need to make the most of the qualifying situation and we need to have Andrew (Howard) firing on all eight cylinders this weekend, making the most of his running in the car and his stint in the race.  The goal is for all three of us drivers to get the best out of the car and to be in a strong position when it comes to the last hour of the race.”

Q:  So what are your thoughts on the rest of the circuit here at Le Castellet?
“I’ve been coming to this circuit for many years, even before it was revamped, I think it was testing for McLaren F1 or in the McLaren two seater.  It was horrendous weather and the old tunnel that used to go under the circuit would flood and now, facility wise, it is one of the best in the world with a nice paddock, garages and the catering is pretty special this weekend.  With regards to the circuit I believe it is getting better with age. When it was first redone it was too perfect, with no bumps; it was like a billiard table.  For me that takes away some of the character what makes a good circuit.  As time goes on the circuit is getting more of a character, with bumps in places.

“My issue here is there is no penalty if you make a mistake.  If you go wide you straighten up the wheel and away you go. It is one of those circuits that is frustrating.  The ribbon of tarmac, the track, itself is very good but the fact that it is just tarmac off the racing line detracts from what would be a very challenging circuit.  For me it takes away something from what it means to go racing cars and being competitive.

“I enjoy coming here, I enjoy the track but I do find it frustrating as well.”