24 Hours of Le Mans

Does Wurz want LMS action and a long-term career in Sportscar Racing?

© Peugeot Sport

Following Peugeots recent announcement surrounding their driver line-up and programme for the 2008 season it has surprised some that Alex Wurz has signaled his desire to compete in the Le Mans Series, something he is not scheduled to do at the present time.

Honda F1’s reserve driver was talking to Italian magazine Autosprint when he said “I’m not thinking of just a sporadic effort in the 24 Hours, but I’m also interested in a wider and longer-term programme in the Le Mans Series.”

His mentioning of a “longer-term programme” would suggest that he is looking beyond June for the LMS and more likely the 2009 season but some sources claim that the Austrian pilot is desperate to get some race time in the 908 HDi FAP before the ‘big one’ in La Sarthe this year? This seems unlikely as the LMS clashes with F1 races in each of its opening three rounds and also not forgetting that bosses at Peugeot have already announced their pairing’s for the Series after being more than happy with the performances of Marc GENE/Nicolas MINASSIAN and Pedro LAMY/Stéphane SARRAZIN during 2007.

It is clear however that Alex Wurz has always had a place in his heart for Sportscar racing, “since I was little, what I was most fascinated about was following endurance racing through the on-board cameras fitted in the closed-roof Porsches. I grew up thinking more about sportscar prototypes than F1 cars. Every time I get inside one it’s like re-living the dream I had when I was a kid. I really don’t think I will miss F1 at all” he added.

Wurz regards his 1996 Le Mans victory in the Team Joest Porsche as “the best race of my sporting career”, now he and his Peugeot team mates must beat the Team Joest run Audi R10 TDi’s if Wurz is to have a new “best race” to add to his CV!