Le Mans time is here again, and I can feel the excitement bubbling deep within me. My passion for Le Mans runs all the way to the core of my being, and it is my favourite part of the racing year.
Last year, the race was really bloody hot and we died in the cars, trying to drive to the max for 24 hours. I finished third behind the those big yellow 'Vettes and it was a great result for the Aston Martin team's return to Le Mans. This year, however, only a win will do...!
It will be tough, though, as I am in a privateer Aston Martin team fighting with the factory teams - Aston Martin Prodrive and the mighty Corvettes - rather than being with AMR. This has always been a fairy-tale situation at Le Mans, with the small teams challenging the big boys, and I have been in this situation many times before and always loved the challenge of it.
Team Modena, which will enter the car under the Russian Age Racing banner next weekend, has its work cut out to beat the factories - as normal. But, this year, I have one of those deep feelings that a good result is coming. The team has been working its butt off getting ready for the biggest endurance race in the world and, as I have got to know the boys, I have felt this feeling inside me get stronger. These Team Modena boys know what they are doing.
We did the pre-qualifying test last weekend and, as a team, had a few issues. It has been a mad rush to prepare for the race and I have two rookies to Le Mans alongside me, in Antonio Garcia and Nelson Piquet Jr. The two young chargers are talented drivers, and I have every bit of faith they can do a good job, but they just need time on the track.
When I went out in the car in the morning, I just did the installation lap - which means drive out of the pits and back in again to check the car over, then out again once past the pits and in. Then the 'boys' took over and drove most of the day. The track was really dirty, but they needed to get laps under their belts to feel confident.
I only jumped back into the car around 4pm to get my first real laps in - and then we had a gearbox problem. The team tried to fix it, but they found other issues as well and that was it. I think it was the first time I have been at Le Mans and haven't done a lap in anger.
However, not to worry, because it was important that Antonio and Nelson got the mileage and that was achieved. I am not disappointed with the way it is going because, as a team, we learnt a great deal and will be in much better shape for when the race starts next Saturday at 5pm.
Wish me luck...
DB
