Stirling casts a brief look back at this years Le Mans and looks forward to what could be the last British Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone and would much rather the actual sport of motor racing dominates the headlines come Monday morning rather than the politics that are embroiling Formula 1 at present. 

Well I must say I had a very enjoyable Le Mans, we had our problems with the OSCA during Thursday qualifying for the supporting Motor Racing Legends Race but come Saturday morning the car performed superbly. Along with my co-driver Roger Earl we finished 3rd in our class and could have placed higher had it not be for a Yellow flag caused by a competing car dropping oil across the entry to the first chicane on the Mulsanne. Frustrating as we lost all the places we had gained to the faster cars with no real chance to gain them back in the time that was left to race.

On the Friday rest day we were guests of the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) reception at the Hotel de France in La Chartre, famous for being the base for the Aston Martin team in 1959. Fifty years on, two of that team were present again, the winning DBR1 and myself along with AMOC members and invited guests to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Aston Martin winning at Le Mans. Sadly the DBR1 dropped a valve in Thursday’s practice so could not be driven from the La Chartre back to Le Mans as it would have been in 1959.

Happily the modern Aston Martin LMP1 007 car came home in fourth place in the 24 hour race, behind the diesel LMP1 cars of Peugeot, 1st and 2nd, and Audi in 3rd. The Aston teams’ performance clearly delighted David Richards with the car boxing above its weight finishing ahead of other works Peugeot and Audi diesel cars. I would also like to congratulate David Braham one of the three drivers in the winning Peugeot 908 HDi alongside Marc Gene and Alex Wurz.

And so to Formula 1 and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, I would hope that the focus returns to the sport of motor racing over the weekend and away from the politics. Will the current situation be resolved, yes eventually, but that is not what we are about this weekend, it’s the racing and drivers racing to win that should be the main focus of attention on Saturday and Sunday. Today’s practice threw up some surprises with Sutil in particular running well and Lewis showing signs that the car has improved since Turkey. Mark Webbers performance this afternoon could well be a sign that he could be contesting for the win on Sunday. Jenson had a number of problems which saw him finishing mid field, however Friday practice tends not to be reflective of qualifying on Saturday, so all is to play for. I will be there for the race on Sunday watching from the BRDC Club house and wish both Jenson and Lewis the best of luck in their home Grand Prix.

Ciao ciao

SM