Nakajima looks to bury Le Mans heartbreak
LE MANS, France: Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima intends to finish what he started at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, one year after his challenge ended in a heartbreaking defeat just one lap from home.
The 32-year- old was heading for a famous win in the iconic endurance race when his Toyota lost power with just three minutes and one lap left.
The former Williams Formula One driver steered his stricken vehiclehomebutendedunclassified as Porsche celebrated a second successive triumph.
“Last year we nearly won it with a good fight during the race. But it was painful, sad and hard to forget,” said Nakajima who will hope to end Toyota’s 30year wait for victory in the 85th running of the race.
“As a driver, the most important thing is to repeat what I did last year. Porsche weren’t good at Silverstone and Spa ( in world championship races this season) but they had a different package, and there is little relevance to this race.
“They weren’t quick during the test days but, looking at them yesterday ( Wednesday qualifying), their pace was more or less the same as ours. It will be a tough race for us.”
Nakajima wi l l share t he driving with fellow former F1 drivers, Sebastien Buemi of France and England’s Anthony Davidson.
Toyota have three cars in the race – all of which feature fellow Japanese drivers.
Kamui Kobayashi, who drove for Toyota as well as Sauber and Caterham in Formula One in a five-year world championship career, was second in Le Mans in 2016 after his compatriot’s misfortunes.
The 30-year- old was also fifth in 2013 behind the wheel of a Ferrari. — AFP