After the shock revelation that the most successful sports car racing driver in history would hang up his helmet at the end of the 2014 FIA WEC season there have been just a few days for Tom Kristensen to come to terms with the start of what will be a very different life from here on in.
There can be few in the sport that were anything other than delighted that Tom was able to celebrate his retirement from a World Championship podium at Interlagos, and since then there has been a whirlwind of media and Audi team engagements followed by an appointments in Doha for the FIA end of year celebration.
Despite all of that Tom was gracious enough, now back at home in Denmark, to give DSC some time on Saturday morning, with the coffee pot gurgling away in the background to talk about a simply astonishing fortnight at the end of an even more astounding career.
“Brazil has been my best weekend in racing. I was simply astonished at the number and variety of people who came to talk to me or who sent messages and all have been so very kind.
“I have loved almost every moment of the 37 years I have had in the sport so far. From the moment my dad put me into a kart aged 9 through to world championship success it’s been astonishing.
“So many great people, so many great cars, so many great races that I will treasure in my heart always.
“But you know one of the most amazing memories will be what happened at Interlagos in the drivers briefing, (Where Tom was given a long and very heartfelt standing ovation by all of the drivers and officials of the World Endurance Championship).
Did the fact that you got so emotional surprise you?
“It was very tough I think because it was so unexpected and it meant so very much to hear and see that level of affection not just from my friends but from our rivals to.
“Of course to finish on the podium, what a great way to end it. Having made my decision to stop racing this would be my last chance to do well and the way it ended, with the safety car for Mark’s accident was very unfortunate but it was the right decision.”
Here Tom gave us a little window on what has been his world for almost four decades and shows that the fire burned right to the very end!
“I had no more fuel saving to do. I could push to the end and looking at the positions on track I think I could have got another place but it would have been at the expense of the Porsche because I think the Toyota would have caught them.”
Suffice to say that this was no gentle jog to the flag for Tom!
“One thing I am very happy about is that I felt as strong in my last race as I did in my first. But I’m absolutely confident but I’ve chosen the right moment to stop. I spoke to Allan (McNish) some time ago about retirement and he said then that I would know the moment when it finally came. He was absolutely right.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to work with what has been an astonishing team. The spirit, the attention to detail and the drive has been fantastic. For that a huge amount of credit has to go to the boss, and a huge amount of credit too for the way in which the management from the bosses permeates through the team in a very flat structure. Everybody knows their job well and everybody is trusted to do it to the very best of their abilities. I think that shows in the way that we’ve consistently delivered such astonishing results.
“The team’s spirits never wavered, even on the bad days. Don’t complain just go racing, never ever give up. So many times that has made a difference between a car been parked and scoring points, a podium, or even a win.
Tom’s career encompassed karting, single seaters and touring cars before sports cars arrived on the horizon. Some drivers find the transition to Sports cars a difficult one:
“Sportscars came naturally to me. I was always strong and going to long distance and with the spirit of sharing and compromise I think played to my strengths.”
What will be the memories that you cherish?
Well for sure that moment in 1997 when Ralf (Juettner) called me and asked whether I was available for the Le Mans 24 Hours was amazing and still tickles me.
“Ralf was on one end of the phone cooly asking the question whilst I was on the other on the phone trying to play cool but jumping and punching the air. I couldn’t believe it!
“I only got to Le Mans on the Friday before the race week and only got 17 laps in practice. I actually had my seat fitting after scrutineering!
“In fact I did an F3000 test at the A1 Ring between practice sessions. I did the trip on Joest’s private plane which I paid for, I think it was 19,000 marks! I was second in the test and came back in time to the second night qualifying session where I got in my required night laps.
“On my second time in the car in the race I was on my on my third stint overnight and set the fastest lap the race. 10 minutes later I set the lap record and the team asked me whether I could do a fourth stint as the tyres were okay.
“The Porsches (911 GT1s) could go longer on fuel but we were faster. For me the era of Le Mans being a flat out sprint began then as we knew that the only way to win was to be 1.8 seconds faster every lap because of our 20 L deficit in the fuel capacity.
“I think that’s right but after my accident (in 2007 in the DTM) so many things get a little hazy!
“We all pushed like hell and by the halfway mark we were starting to reel them in.”
Fast forward to 1999 and Tom was making his debut at another world-famous endurance race, the 12 hours of Sebring (he won!).
“That was a good race again with a good team, Schnitzer BMW (in the BMW LMR) but it nearly didn’t happen!”
“We tested at Homestead and the car had major differential issues. They were so bad that by the Friday the decision had been made to go home to Germany. The team looked again at the problem and I think everybody is glad that they changed that decision!
“Then we went to Le Mans and we were leading by laps before we had a failure.
“Oddly enough our pit garage was next door to Audi on their debut with the R8R.
“Then I got a message from Dr Ullrich to say that he would be happy to see me after a super touring race in Austria. We met in Ingolstadt and had a very positive talk. It must have been positive because he showed me the drawings of what would become the R8.
“I said to him almost immediately, “I want to be a part of that”, I think it was my best decision!
“The level of loyalty that has been shown by Audi and in particular by Dr Ullrich, since then has been humbling. When I told him of my decision to retire he made it very clear that at Audi there are no lifetime contracts but verbally offered me 100 years!
“It’s been an amazing career, I guess in particular people will remember the nine Le Mans wins. For me though I think Allan getting three, all in different decades, was just somehow more elegant.”
What has been the biggest challenge over the years with so many different cars and so many different technologies?
“I’ve loved all of the challenges. I think it appeals to my curiosity and the style of sportscar racing in the modern era has suited me very well.
“Certainly, the car this year and all of the systems now involved, has meant that I’ve never been so busy in a car and I’ve had to adapt my driving style like never before with lift and coast and with having to keep across so many of the factors.
“There’s certainly not a second in the car where you’re bored! But in fairness whilst the technological achievement is astonishing, for some of us perhaps the racing is a little less pure.
“That said there is no doubt in my mind that this car, in 2014, is the best car I’ve ever driven. The performance, The efficiency, and the handling are absolutely amazing. And to think we can do this using 30% less fuel is quite astonishing.”
Tom, there were some questions in Brazil that you were very careful not to answer, I’d like to ask one of them again. With the Porsche, the BMW, the Bentley, and so many astonishing Audis, do you have a favourite?
“You’re right they are all astonishing and I have fond memories of all of them. I can look back and say that I won Le Mans, at least once, in all of them apart from the R15, and we won Sebring in that one!
“I am very proud to say that I was in the car when Audi took their first sportscar race win in 2000 at Sebring in the R8 (below) and I was in the car to for the 100th sportscar win (in the 2013 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas). But if I had to choose favourites then of course it would be the R8.
“Five of my nine wins at Le Mans came in that astonishing car!
“To start it like that with Audi and then to finish it on the podium with what I genuinely believe is the best car they’ve ever built I couldn’t be happier.
“I’m also entirely sincere when I say thanks to everyone, not just in the team but the fans, your readers, you guys too, it’s been a hell of a ride!
(with thanks to John Brooks for access to his excellent archive)
GG
