Vitaphone on the Road to Le Mans
Jun 11, 2008

The three Vitaphone drivers; Peter Hardman, Nick Leventis and Alexandre Negrao, have completed the next phase in their build-up to this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Tuesday June 10th saw the squad in the town centre at Le Mans for the official scrutineering process, with the team’s Aston Martin DBR9 checked for compliance with the regulations, and the trio of drivers signed-on and approved to race.

Staged in the historic Place des Jacobins, surrounded by trees, parkland and thousands of spectators, it is a very public occasion. “Coming back to Le Mans after a break of fourteen years, I’m delighted to see that some things – many things – have not changed at all. Scrutineering needs to happen down here in the town centre, surrounded by all these people. It’s all part of the process of creating the unique atmosphere that is Le Mans.” Peter last raced in the 24 Hours in 1994. “On that occasion I was here just as a driver, so I didn’t have all the team responsibilities I have now, but I’m steadily working through those as we get closer to qualifying. I’m really looking forward to the point when I can concentrate on being a driver again.”

Both his co-drivers are Le Mans “rookies”, having never raced in the 24 Hours before. Of those, Nick Leventis is also Peter’s protégé – a talented young driver that Peter has been tutoring for the past four years. “I’m delighted for Nick, and to see him developing as a driver and making the most of his abilities is a rewarding experience. I now need to help him through the process of becoming a true Le Mans driver – preparing for the race ahead and everything that entails.” Some of that involves the psychology of anticipating a race that lasts for a whole day, and also raising one’s awareness so that peak performance comes later in the day. Qualifying takes place between seven and nine pm, then ten and twelve, on Wednesday and Thursday. “You almost have to alter your internal clock in these days running up to the race itself so that you're right on the ball during the evenings, and then make the most of relaxing each morning.”

The third driver in the squad; twenty-two year-old Brazilian Alexandre Negrao, known as Xandi, is very conscious of being one of five Brazilians in the race. “Besides myself, there’s Thomas Erdos, Christian Fittipaldi, Jaime Melo and Ricardo Zonta. That’s more than for several years, which should be good for the reputation of the race in Brazil, and perhaps with some good results, make Le Mans even bigger there.” As well as being a first-timer at Le Mans, Xandi is also new to the Aston Martin. His regular drive is the Vitaphone Maserati MC12 in the FIA GT Championship, so he has a new car as well as a new circuit to learn. “During the three or four full laps that I managed on the test day, I was focused on learning the track, not the car, but first impressions have been positive. It’s a very comfortable, stable car to drive. I don’t know how the Maserati would feel on this track, but at the moment, the Aston feels very familiar. I am just glad it’s not right hand drive!”

Although Nick has not raced in the 24 Hours, he is no newcomer to the Le Mans circuit, having raced here in the Classic events for several years. “It’s particularly special to be here in the Aston Martin, following on from the DBR1 which I’ve raced here in the Classic. That was a Le Mans winning car, and the DBR9 won Le Mans last year. The Vitaphone car isn’t the exact car that won here last year, but it still gives you the incentive to succeed.” While his historic races are a good basis for his understanding of the Sarthe circuit, Nick recognises that there’s no substitute for the 24 Hours itself. “I’ve been going round the track here in historics for years, but nothing quite prepares you for the real thing. I was truly surprised at how much pace the DBR9 can carry through sections like the Porsche Curves. That level of speed if going to be the main difference for me, and I’m really looking forward to it.” Like Xandi, Nick has been swept up by the uniqueness of the Le Mans experience. “Everything that happens here is so filled with atmosphere. Even sitting in the Place des Jacobins for scrutineering has a special feel to it and it’s something I am fast learning to appreciate. Now that I’ve got here, I’d like to see myself coming back here for many, many years to come.”

The strategy for qualifying will see Peter start the first evening session. After a week of standard road traffic, the track will not be conducive to quick laps, so Peter understands that fast times won’t be possible, but he accepts that his responsibility is to ensure that the car is correctly set up for the track, and ready for the two young guns who will follow him. “We need to give Nick and Xandi as much time in the car as we can, so they can familiarise themselves with the combination of the DBR9 and the circuit. Nick will probably stay in the car for at least an hour.” After the mid-evening break the air temperature will cool while the track remains warm. “We may go for a quick time then, to get a banker in, just in case it rains tomorrow,” adds Peter, implying that Xandi may get that honour.

News on qualifying will follow after the second session, which concludes late on Thursday.

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© Peter Hardman 2008