Audi is slowly giving us hints into their attack on the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. Last year, Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas experienced some bad luck and are ready to redeem themselves and Audi. Both drives just competed together in the 24 Hours of Daytona last weekend. They had 3 lap lead when their Porsche ran out of gas. These two are of the best and there is no doubt they will be scorching the Circuit de la Sarthe come June.
Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) contest the Le Mans 24 hour race (12th and 13th June) for Audi. As long distance specialists, the pair provides reinforcement to the driver line-up of the Ingolstadt manufacturer at the wheel of an Audi R15 TDI. In a Porsche RS Spyder, Bernhard and Dumas won all titles in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 class in 2007 and 2008. Last season, they shared the cockpit of a Porsche Riley, competing for Penske Racing in the Grand-Am Series. Both pilots drove the Audi R15 TDI in Le Mans last year.
Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas are regarded as two of the most experienced sports car pilots in the world. Last year, Bernhard claimed his fourth straight overall victory at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, for Dumas it marked his third consecutive win. At the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring – one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races – the Porsche works drivers also brought home victory.
Timo Bernhard celebrated a momentous win in 2003 claiming overall victory at the Daytona 24 hour race. In Le Mans, as well, the German climbed to the top of the podium: In his first year as Porsche works driver in 2002 he won the GT class, and in 2005 he occupied second in the GT2 class.
Romain Dumas also has an impressive record: In addition to their shared victory, the 32-year-old also won the Spa 24 hour event in 2003 and 2004. For the past three years, Dumas has been consigned to LMP1 teams for the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2007, the Porsche factory pilot secured third overall with the Pescarolo team.
“After our bad luck last year I’m very much looking forward to racing for Audi in Le Mans and to fight to overall victory,” says Bernhard. “We gained a huge amount of experience with the vehicle in 2009,” Dumas adds. “Many thanks go to Porsche and Audi who have again made this possible for us.”
Resumé Timo Bernhard
Born on 24 February 1981 in Homburg/Saar (D) Height, weight: 1.74 m, 60 kg Porsche works driver since 2002 (Porsche junior since 1999) Most important successes 2009 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 4th place Grand-Am Series (Daytona Prototypes) 2008 Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins 1st place Sebring 12 Hours (overall) 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2007 Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 8 wins 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2006 3rd place American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2005 2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT2), 4 wins 2nd place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT2) 2004 Champion American Le Mans Series (GT) 3rd place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2003 1st place Daytona 24 Hours (overall) 2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT) 2002 1st place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT) 2nd place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
Resumé Romain Dumas
Born on 14 December 1977 in Alés (F) Height, weight: 1.75 m, 61 kg Porsche works driver since 2004 Most important successes 2009 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 4th place Grand-Am Series (Daytona Prototypes) 2008 Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins 1st place Sebring 12 Hours (overall) 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2007 Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 8 wins 1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall) 2006 3rd place American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins 2005 2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT2), 4 wins 2004 3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT) 1st place Spa 24 Hours (N-GT, 3rd overall) 1st place Le Mans Endurance Series (GT) 2003 1st place Spa 24 Hours (overall) 3rd place Porsche Carrera Cup 2002 2nd place Euro Formula 3000 Championship
