David Heinemier Hansson has joined the #95 Young Driver Vantage GTE for the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season. He competed in the championship last year in an LMP2 car and is looking forward to returning to Le Mans, this time aiming for the top step.
David Heinemier Hansson has joined the #95 Young Driver Vantage GTE for the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season. He competed in the championship last year in an LMP2 car and is looking forward to returning to Le Mans, this time aiming for the top step.
Q: You raced in the LMP2 class of the WEC last year. Which race do you look forward to returning to most this year and why?
I got involved with racing at this level to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so that’s always the big race to look forward to. Last year was not a happy one with the tragic loss of Allan, and an event plagued by rain, accidents, and more. Even though we finished 2nd with the OAK #24, it didn’t feel like a good event. So I’m eager to return this year to wipe the slate clean and take another stab at the top podium in my third attempt at Le Mans.
Outside of Le Mans, there are of course the classics of Silverstone and Spa, which will be great, but I’m also really looking forward to going back to Austin. The designers did a smashing job with the layout, and the track is just a lot of fun as a driver. It’s also the only race in the US, so that’s something special as well.
Q: In last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans you finished in second in class. What is your favourite thing about racing at Le Mans?
There are so many things. The history, the fans, the track, but my fondest memories at Le Mans have been driving at night. There’s just a serene calm that descends as you fall into a rhythm and crack out lap after lap. It’s almost like being in a trance. Very rewarding.
Q: The Young Driver team is made up of young Danish racing drivers. Do you think it's important for cars like this to be run in the top-level of motorsport?
I got inspired to pursue top motorsports because of the extraordinary record of fellow Dane Tom Kristensen, ‘Mr Le Mans’. So it’s great for us to pay that forward in a small way and in a different discipline, GTs. Danes are well represented at the top level of motorsports but to have car consisting entirely of Danish drivers is quite unique.