Al Qubaisi upbeat after Le Mans test drive

Anthony Fernandes 13:02 02/06/2014
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  • Khaled Al Qubaisi who drives for Proton Competition, the Emirates Global Aluminium and Abu Dhabi Racing-backed team, is satisfied with the pace he set during the test day yesterday for the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this month.

    Al Qubaisi is sharing driving duties with German Christian Ried and Klaus Bachler of Austria, with the trio tackling the entire eight rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship this season.

    Racing together for the first time ever, the trio have already successfully completed round one at Silverstone in the UK and round two at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium – finishing fourth overall in the GTELM Am class on both occasions.

    The traditional test day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is held two Sundays before the race weekend, which will be from June 14-15 this year, and offers drivers the opportunity to tweak their cars one final time before the big day.

    Speaking to Sport360° following the eight-hour test, split over two four-hour sessions, Al Qubaisi said: “The morning session got off to a good start.

    “I picked up where I left off from my last stint last year. I was immediately on the pace and went two seconds faster than my earlier times. 

    “The slight changes that have been made to the last chicane though slowed us a bit on the climb.”

    “This [test session times] gives me a lot of confidence already and I’m feeling very good. I have started with a much more relaxed mind, which helps as the anxiety that was there last year isn’t here anymore.

    “I look forward to improving on my times during the race weekend.”

    Following the test day, the Le Mans carnival is now officially under way, with administrative checks and scrutineering of vehicles held over two days, from June 8 and 9.

    On June 10, organisers have lined up a drivers’ autograph session – the only opportunity for fans to meet up with some of the best racing drivers in the world.

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