Le Mans Series

Dramatic Courage C60H retirement - test programme for Le Mans starts

Christian Vanns Courage C60H LMP1 retired early from the Spa 1000km race after a dramatic pitlane accident. Team-mate Jonathan Cochet was entering the pits to make his first pitstop when he had to swerve to avoid a member of the Pescarolo crew who stepped back while working on their car. Jonathan hit the pit lane barrier very hard, damaging the front suspension beyond immediate repair.

© Sander van Dijk / Planetlemans.com

Trafigura backed Christian said “After such a promising start to the weekend, running 3rd in Thursdays first free practice, we then had a problem because Yokohama brought wet tyres which didn’t like the unusally cold wet conditions of Saturday and today.”

“It’s a shame for the team as we know that we have a car which is as fast as anything out there, but that is motor racing, stuff happens which is outside your control. Jonathan is obviously very upset, but your natural reaction is obviously to avoid hitting somebody in the pitlane?

The team now start their build up to Le Mans with a test programme which includes working closely with Yokohama to improve the performance of their wet weather tyres.

© 2005 Planetlemans.com.