The first full season driver of Nissan’s Le Mans challenger, the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, has been revealed as Marc Gene. The Spanish ace has an exemplary record in LM P1 racing with eight LM P1 Le Mans 24 Hours races under his belt. Gene’s experience is much in demand and he has been test driver at Scuderia Ferrari since 2005.
Gene will provide Nissan NISMO with a firm foundation of experience in its driving squad. He describes Le Mans as “the best race in the world” and already knows how it feels to win the great race outright after doing just that in 2009 with Peugeot, going on to race winning success with Audi too in the FIA WEC.
“We said at the start of our driver search that we wanted an established LM P1 driver who could provide the extra knowledge and experience that can only be gained by having ‘been there and done it’,” said Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO. “In Marc we have found a Le Mans winner, who has raced for two LM P1 works teams and can provide a guiding hand for the other drivers who are stepping up to LM P1. We are very happy to welcome Marc to Nissan and look forward to the development of a successful relationship.”
Five Minutes With Marc
How important do you think it is for a new team to have an experienced driver like yourself?
“Nissan NISMO is a great team already. From the very beginning I have experienced a very good atmosphere in the team. The mechanics and engineers are all very professional and most have Le Mans experience. From my side, my experience in works teams will definitely help Nissan as I have already faced the challenge we are all now facing. Our goal is to reach the podium and ultimately win Le Mans. However we are all aware that at Le Mans there are no shortcuts and we will only achieve our goals with time and hard work, especially now that it is probably the most competitive Le Mans ever with four different manufacturers.”
What does it feel like to win Le Mans?
“Winning Le Mans was the most intense feeling I have ever had as a racing driver. I was lucky to be in the car for the final stint and on that long last lap, with all the marshals congratulating me and with more than 200,000 spectators cheering, it was impossible to contain my feelings. Then came the podium and all you can see is this huge crowd, thousands of fans who have followed the race from the beginning.”
You will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship season. What are your expectations for the year ahead?
“This season we should just focus on learning about and improving the car every time we head out onto the track, whether for testing or racing. Making it to the finish would already be an achievement on it’s own. I hope we can show that the car is competitive, especially at Le Mans.”
What can you tell us about the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO from a driver’s perspective?
“I like the aggressive look of the car, which is a consequence of a well-thought and different design, not seen before at Le Mans. From the very first laps I felt very comfortable. I could feel the very powerful engine and high efficiency of the aerodynamics.”
Are you happy to become a Nissan driver?
“I am delighted and very excited to drive for Nissan. I have always looked closely at Nissan and it’s motorsport programmes, especially at the GT-R activities and of course it’s road car models. Now to be competing with Nissan in the LM P1 GT-R in the most demanding and prestigious race in the world is something I am very proud of.”
Date of birth: 29 March 1974
Place of birth: Sabadell, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Lives: Barcelona, Spain
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Italian and German.
Twitter: @marc_gene
When Nissan was looking for an experienced LM P1 driver, Marc Gene’s name came up over and over again. The Spanish racer provides the experience that any new LM P1 team needs. He has been there and done it, winning Le Mans outright in 2009.
Marc’s racing career began in karting when he was 13 years-old. Over the years he worked his way right up the single-seater ladder, arriving in Formula One in 1999. After two seasons with Minardi he received a call from Sir Frank Williams, who asked him to join the Williams F1 team as a test driver. Then in 2005, Marc took up the role of Test Driver for Scuderia Ferrari, a position that he still holds today.
Sports cars beckoned for Marc in 2007 and he joined what was then the brand new Peugeot LM P1 programme. It proved to be a successful relationship, the highlight being Marc’s victory at the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours, when he became the first Spaniard to win the great race.
Multi-lingual Marc is a great academic who loves to read and to learn about all manner of subjects. He has a degree in Economics and was once an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Career Highlights
2014
• Second place at the Le Mans 24 Hours with Audi
• Winner of the 6 Hours of Spa (WEC) with JOTA
• Ferrari F1 Test Driver (2005-present day)
2013
• Third place at the Le Mans 24 Hours with Audi
• Third place in the 6 Hours of Spa (WEC) with Audi
2012
• Fifth place at the Le Mans 24 Hours with Audi
• Winner of the 6 Hours of Spa (WEC)
2011
• Fourth place in the Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot
• Second place in the Sebring 12 Hours with Peugeot
2010
• Winner of Sebring 12 Hours with Peugeot
• Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot – DNF in 22nd hour whilst running second
2009
• Winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot – first Spanish winner
2008
• Second place at the Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot
• Runner-up in European Le Mans Series with Peugeot
• Winner of 1000kms of Spa with Peugeot
2007
• Third place in European Le Mans Series with Peugeot – Winner at Monza, Silverstone and Interlagos
• Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot – DNF after 22 hours
2005 – present day
• Ferrari F1 Test Driver
2001 – 2004
• BMW WilliamsF1 Team test and reserve driver (fifth place at 2003 Italian GP)
1999 – 2000
• FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Minardi – Sixth place in 1999 Nurburgring F1 GP
1998
• Open Fortuna by Nissan Champion
1997
• International F3000
1996
• Golden Cup Superformula Champion
1994-1995
• British F3 – Rookie of the Year in ‘94
1993
• European Formula Ford – Second place European Championship and Formula Ford Festival
1992
• Spanish Formula Ford
1987-1991
• Two-time Spanish Karting Champion (88 and 90)
