European Le Mans Series, Donington Park - Views from the Paddock

JMW Motorsport
Just to clarify the debate currently raging elsewhere on-line, JMW Motorsport has not yet confirmed a replacement driver for James Walker, who has had to withdraw from driving duties in the #66 Ferrari this weekend following a call to be present at the birth of his first child. The team readily respects and understands his decision, and wishes him and his wife all best wishes. “I woke up this morning and found I had no team mate,” said Jonny Cocker during the post-qualifying press conference. “We wish them the best of luck.”

Jim McWhirter
Having been responsible for breaking the news of James’s decision to Team Principal Jim McWhirter just before qualifying, we sought him out afterwards to see if there was any clarification. Jim explained that no announcement had been made regarding a replacement, and for good reason. Ultimately, the team’s ability to nominate another driver rests with the Stewards, who will need to determine whether or not a substitute can be permitted under the regulations. “We’ve put forward a proposal to the Stewards and that is currently under consideration,” explained Jim. “We just hope that we get a favourable response from them, but we’re unlikely to know much before the completion of today’s timetable.” As soon as we have confirmation, one way or the other, we’ll post it here on DSC.

Jonny Cocker
“Getting pole in class is one thing, and we had that before the weekend even started, but that doesn’t take away anything from what the team has done here. The car has been excellent. It felt like a nice lap, so I was pleased to see the time. It’s probably the strangest pole position I’ve ever had, but we’ll be pushing just as hard tomorrow, regardless of the situation.”

Jota - Sam Hancock
Second fastest in final practice, and then third in qualifying, there was a ready grin on Sam Hancock’s face when we caught up with him this afternoon. “We’ve been right up in the mix all weekend, so far,” said Sam Hancock. “The car has been just brilliant – the best it’s ever felt. The times we were setting in practice, and then in qualifying, just seemed to come really easily, and we were running on very old tyres in that final practice session as well.”

“It won’t be any easier going into the race, but it’s a nice place to be right now – especially when you know that this grid, although low on quantity, is so very high in quality. It’s packed with great drivers and teams, and they’re all so closely matched. It’s the best P2 grid in the world, without a doubt.”

Greaves Motorsport - Tom Kimber-Smith
“Yesterday was a bit of a wasted day, but it was my first experience of a P2 car in the rain,” admitted Tom Kimber-Smith, fifth on the grid, but a mere three-tenths shy of Lahaye’s pole. “Lucas spent more time of the car in practice, as he needed to learn the track, but it was so very wet on Friday, and very risky. In the second session, even though it was drying, Old Hall was as wet as ever.”

“Today has been very different. We always knew the car could be quick, so we were pleased to be fastest in the last free practice session, but the top six are separated by just a few tenths after qualifying. There may only be thirteen cars here this weekend, but the P2 race will be a fight all the way.”

TK-S was racing at Lime Rock last weekend, but memories of winning at Le Mans are still fresh in his mind. “It’s great to have won at Le Mans – absolutely amazing. It was the most special moment, to stand up there on the podium and look out across that vast crowd.”

Tom is one of three drivers on tenterhooks this weekend over impending births. James Walker is already sitting bedside, but Tom is awaiting news of his second child, also due this weekend. “We thought it was all going to happen last night,” grinned Tom, “but I’m still waiting for the phone call. I was there for the birth of our first, but we have agreed that, if this one arrives now, I’m allowed to stay here and race.” No doubt he’ll be one of the first to leave tomorrow. The third expectant father? Jody Firth’s second child is also due.

Murphy Prototypes - Jody Firth
We made a small set-up change this afternoon to try to draw more speed out of the car for qualifying, but it had the opposite effect and made the car worse than in free practice. On a positive note we obviously know what the set-up was for practice and can revert the car back to have very good race pace. It was a frustrating qualifying session for me though as I could not attack on the track, and although we were only a second off pole it is still a little disappointing.”

Murphy Prototypes - Warren Hughes
The car has been good straight off the truck, and that’s given us great confidence as drivers. We were all strong in practice, whenever we were running and in all the various conditions we faced, but the field is so strong – cars and drivers – and it’s going to be a very tight race. We have no real advantages, except apparently in the wet, so we’re just going to have to be racing at the max all the way.”