Tom Kristensen will be at the centre of the celebrations at Le Mans this week, acting as a grand marshal for the race, appearing on the TV broadcasts and driving with Audi Tradition as part of the pre-race parade laps featuring significant Le Mans cars.
The Dane couldn’t be more appreciative to be a key part of the centenary edition of the race which he will be forever linked with.
DSC spoke with him before he travelled to France to get his thoughts on the this year’s event, his part in its history and what he thins the future will hold.
“It certainly means a lot,” he said when asked about his roles for race week. “I’m privileged this year to be asked to act as an ambassador for the centenary and as a grand marshal. It’s very special.
“To be honest it is quite easy to speak positively about the world’s greatest race. I have attended every race since I retired aside from the September covid race. And since I stopped I have been able to see the other side of the event, from outside the cockpit.
“It’s cool to keep coming back. It’s nice to get thumbs up, and time to talk to people. It’s good to still feel welcome.
“I love it because it’s motorsport at its finest, the whole world gathers and you need all the ingredients to win. It’s now 100 years since the first race, and it means a lot to me, and a lot to a lot of people.”
It’s motorsport at its finest, the whole world gathers
During his stint at the event between 1997 and 2014, he scored a record nine overall wins, including a streak of six in a row between 2000 and 2005, earning him the nickname ‘Mr Le Mans’. He knows exactly what it takes to win, at the highest level, and as part of world-class factory efforts.
So what does he make of Toyota’s all-conquering GR010 HYBRID, which is searching to continue its unbeaten run at Le Mans this year?
“Toyota operates at a very high level,” he said. “They have the experience, and this is the third phase of Toyota at Le Mans. They’ve always been strong competitor, and they have built a good technical and engineering base. And they’ve stayed loyal to drivers too. And that experience is something that’s very strong and very tough to beat.
“They are red hot favourites, no doubt about that. There are others that are reaching out and they have to dig deep. I am very impressed with how they have stayed steady, worked hard and it’s great that they are still here. It would have been a catastrophe if they hadn’t stayed (in the FIA WEC).
“At the moment though, sportscar racing and the WEC looks fantastic, with so many manufacturers. What I am impressed with is the cooperation between the different people around the FIA and ACO and IMSA. That is down to human capabilities, and it’s important.
“I just think the cars are a little too heavy and underpowered. But it’s fantastic that it has attracted so many manufacturers. We now wait to see how it develops.”
And what about the future? Kristensen knows as much as anybody that sportscar racing traditionally goes through cycles. He does though, think Le Mans will continue to remain a relevant event in its second century.
I’ve never been anywhere in the world where people don’t know what the Le Mans 24 Hours is
“Le Mans I believe is a healthy race,” he said. “I’ve never been anywhere in the world where people don’t know what the Le Mans 24 Hours is.
“There will always be competition, there will always be opportunities. There are possibilities at Le Mans. Whatever ideas for the environment or the future of travelling, they will have a chance at Le Mans. That’s what history has shown.
“Obviously now people are talking about hybrid, but hydrogen is being pushed by the ACO a lot. I am positive about it.”
