The Aston Martin Racing drivers for this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours recently made the trip up to the Aston Martin factory at Gaydon to meet the press and become better acquainted with each other prior to the big race.
For a number of them, it was their very first visit to the factory – which is where all the DB9 Coupe road cars are built. For others, the iconic building is almost like a home from home.
There was little time for relaxation though as some serious business awaited. As well as a team briefing, the drivers all had to pose for a photo shoot with the Gulf-liveried DBR9 that they will drive in June, and try on their new team clothing.
There are a total of six drivers for the 007 and 009 cars – and they all come from six different countries. At the wheel of 007 will be Heinz-Harald Frentzen from Germany, Andrea Piccini from Italy, and Austria’s Karl Wendlinger. Driving 009 will be Australian David Brabham, Antonio Garcia from Spain, and Englishman Darren Turner.
Getting all six drivers together from their respective homes for the press launch was a logistical feat in itself. “I think I got up at 4:30 in the morning to leave from Monaco,” said Heinz-Harald Frentzen, a former Grand Prix star. “It was the first time I had been to the Aston Martin factory, and I have to say that it is very impressive. It was well worth the trip!”
David Brabham – who lives in England – is doing a lot of racing in America this year, so finding a gap in his schedule was equally difficult. “It’s a pretty full-on year this season,” he said. “But I’m just delighted to be asked back to rejoin the Aston Martin factory team. I reckon it’s going to be tougher than ever this year.”
With the photographs and briefings over, it was time for the drivers to meet the press: one of the main reasons behind the day. A small selection of journalists were able to chat to the drivers over a buffet lunch – which was particularly welcome for those who had travelled a long way, such as Karl Wendlinger.
“I knew nearly all of the drivers and the Aston Martin guys individually,” he said. “But it’s nice for us to be together as a group for the first time, and to meet the people whom we will be working with. It’s also good to chat to the press: the specialist media are very knowledgeable, so we can have some interesting discussions.”
It’s important for the crews to bond prior to the event, and it’s clear that they all get on very well already. “That’s an absolutely crucial,” commented Darren Turner. “You can have the quickest driver in the world, but if he doesn’t fit into the team for whatever reasons then there’s not much point. From our point of view, we’re completely comfortable with each other. I know David [Brabham] and Antonio [Garcia] very well, and I think we’ve got similar approaches and driving styles. The interesting thing is that at some point we’ve all raced with each other – but all three of us have never shared the same car before.”
The dynamic in the 007 car will be fascinating as well, as it is an all-new line-up for 2008. But Andrea Piccini – who already drove for Aston Martin Racing in 2006 – has no doubts that it will be successful. “I know Karl from the FIA GT Championship,” he said. “And of course it is an honour to race with someone like Heinz-Harald as well. I think we’ve got a very effective package.”
As Team Principal George Howard-Chappell explained, there are a number of parameters taken into account when determining each driver line-up. Speed and talent is foremost of course, but other important factors include similarities of temperament, driving style, and physical build.
The newly-announced drivers gave a number of interviews for both the written press and websites, many of whom will be covering the adventures of the Aston Martin crews hour-by-hour at Le Mans. After a full day, the Aston Martin Racing drivers headed back to their homes all over Europe, but they will soon be re-united again for a pre-Le Mans shakedown test at the British circuit of Snetterton.
There, they will re-acquaint themselves with the DBR9 and find out a little more about working with each other – including some vital practice for those all-important pit stops and driver changes.