by Russell Atkins

TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

To read the interview in full, click here

David Brabham is confident Aston Martin Racing are in good shape to defend their GT1 class success in the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, but the Aussie warned that in order to do so everything must run like clockwork in a race that has become in recent years more of a round-the-clock sprint than a test of endurance.

In company with team-mates Darren Turner and Rickard Rydell, 'Brabs' triumphed in GT1 at La Sarthe last year, seeing off the threat of arch-rivals Corvette by a scant three minutes at the end of 24 hours of relentless, flat-out competition. It was the first time the legendary British manufacturer had got the better of its American opponent since its return to Le Mans in 2005, and as he gets set to team up with Turner once more – as well as newly-promoted factory ace Antonio Garcia – the 42-year-old is clearly up for the fight.

“Last year was particularly special and emotional for everyone involved,” he reminisced, speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio. “I've been there a lot of times – that was my 14th year – so to not just win, but to win there in an Aston Martin, was pretty special.

“Our job is probably a little bit harder I think coming into this year's event. We were very well-prepared last year; I think we were better prepared than most. I think the other teams will be better prepared this time – I'm not saying they're going to be better prepared than us, but they're going to be better than they were – and I think the competition will be challenging, but I've got every bit of confidence that we can repeat it.

“We've just got to make sure that we push in every area and like last year have no mistakes – just service in the pit-stops, fast pit-stops, having good 'out' and 'in' laps and so forth. Everything has to be perfect to be able to win this race.

“Last year Corvette had exactly the same type of race as we did – an absolutely perfect race – but we just had more speed. I anticipate them being closer this year, so I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's going to be an even tougher fight than last year.

“The Saleens were fast last year too, but they weren't quite ready. They've obviously had another year to prepare now, though, and there are some private-tier teams out there that are going to be strong too. Certainly we don't have it all our own way, nor Corvette – I think last year's qualifying showed that, and when the race got going we were still fairly closely-bunched after a few hours before it kind of stretched out and we were the ones out front. I really do feel it's going to be a tough competition, but I think all of us are looking forward to the challenge.”