Paul di Resta has heaped praise upon his United Autosports mechanics after clinching the LMP2 class victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, claiming that they don’t get enough credit for their part in United’s fourth consecutive WEC victory.
Di Resta, Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque held off the JOTA team on Sunday in a tense fight during the final hour of the race to take the class victory in the #22 ORECA 07-Gibson in the most hotly contested class of the entire race.
“It’s exceptional. I think to win four races in WEC in a row, but especially Le Mans, is something quite unique,” Di Resta commented in the post-race press conference. “I think we understood if we came here and did a very good job, we would be in a position to win to race, but it’s the icing on the cake.
“To take the Hyperpole, as well, to drive to amazing track and get the lap record on Friday afternoon was something again. It’s not been the same experience without fans, not the same atmosphere, but it’s been a great race.”
The Anglo-American team started the race from pole position thanks to a record-breaking lap from Di Resta in the inaugural Hyperpole session, after which the team survived something of a race of attrition to win. Di Resta credited the win to the work done by his mechanics, underlining the immense work done by those in the garage.
“All the way to the end, I think the LMP2 has been the toughest class to win, all the way on the edge of your seat all the way to the very end and we can enjoy this evening,” the former Formula One driver explained. “It doesn’t really sink in until you get it done, I think the main thing is to go celebrate with the team, because they are the real warriors of this team.
These are the guys that have put the effort in before the race, all night. We’ve been in the comfort of a motorhome sleeping at times and they have been servicing the car great. Incredible by them and they don’t get enough credit for what is due.”
The victory has also seen United Autosports clinch the provisional LMP2 title in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The team now holds a 46-point lead over nearest challengers JOTA with 38 points on offer for victory in the Bahrain season finale.
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