The Aston Martin 009 LMP1 has crossed the line in second after a faultless eight hour race. As the second successive podium result for the Aston Martin Racing factory team this year, it once again proves the exceptional pace, reliability and durability of the marque’s cars.
Drivers Adrian Fernández (MX), Stefan Mücke (DE) and Harold Primat (CH) drove competitively throughout, driving the production-based Aston Martin V12-powered LMP1 consistently as the fastest car on the circuit behind the first placed diesel. Completing 261 laps and therefore 1,511 km competitively in eight hours, chassis DBR1-2/2 performed immaculately.
Early in the race, Mücke was forced into the pits due to a puncture but second place was held for the remaining six hours. 40 minutes before the chequered flag, another puncture brought Fernandez back into the pits for a tyre change, but the 009 had a concrete lead over third position.
Aston Martin Racing official partner Team Signature Plus finished in sixth place with their 008 LMP1 car, again with a faultless run in their debut race. The Vantage GT2 of JMW Motorsport did not finish but showed exceptional qualifying and race pace for their first outing boding well for their future programme.
The High Tech Test Track at Paul Ricard has provided the team with a good indication as to how the car will perform at Le Mans and the crew will be flying directly to California to contest the next race in the American Le Mans Series: Long Beach next weekend on Saturday 17 April 2010.
