LMS: Charouz team beat Audis in qualifying and got third - (16.08.2008)

The Charouz Racing System team scored the best qualifying result of the season at Nürburgring. Stefan Mücke today set third time overall and also of the premium LMP1 class. The Czech team closely cooperating with the Aston Martin Racing managed to sneak between four turbodiesels and beat both works Audi. It means second row, for the second time this year, on the starting grid which will see green flag just five minutes after the noon.

The Aston Martin powered LMP1 prototype was in the second row also in the opening race of the season at Barcelona and Mücke with Jan Charouz were able to capitalise on it with third place under the flag. Stefan starred in front of his home fans also today as he improved the best practice time by almost two seconds.

“I had hoped for a similar result but even I was surprised by the time,” said Mücke. “Already this morning I felt that I am more confident with the brand new car. We were waiting till the end of the qualifying before I went out. The first lap was not ideal, other cars slowed me a bit. However, the second lap was perfect and brought third place to us. I am so happy that I managed to get this result in front of my home fans. Now we will all focus on the race where we should have a chance to fight for a podium finish. However, it will be very tough fight.”

“I am very happy, Stefan did exceptional lap,” said George Howard-Chappel, technical Director Aston Martin Racing. Team Principal Antonin Charouz added: “The whole car including engine is new. Out Tuesday’s test at Dijon was marred by bad weather, so we were not sure about the performance of our car but I was confident about its ability and I am happy with Stefan’s performance today. We changed strategy a bit and set or time at the very end of the session and our rivals did not have time to react.”

Results
Qualifying HERE
3. free practice HERE
2. free practice HERE
1. free practice HERE

Standings, drivers
1. GENE Marc, MINASSIAN Nicolas 24
2. PREMAT Alexandre, ROCKENFELLER Mike 24
3. CAPELLO Rinaldo, McNISH Allan 12
4. LAMY Pedro, SARRAZIN Stephane 11
5. Villeneuve 10
6. PRIMAT Harold, TINSEAU Christophe 9
7. BOULLION Jean-Christophe, COLLARD Emmanuel 9
8. KERR Robbie, HALL Stuart 8
9. CHAROUZ Jan, MÜCKE Stefan 7
Teams
1. Team Peugeot Total No. 7 – 24
2. Audi Sport Team Joest No. 2 – 24
3. Audi Sport Team Joest No. 1 - 12
4. Team Peugeot Total No. 8 - 11
5. Pescarolo Sport No. 17 - 9
6. Pescarolo Sport No. 16 - 9
7. Creation AIM No. 15 - 8
8. Charouz Racing System No. 10 - 7

Photo gallery - for high-res just click on thumbnails
Photo: BPA/Petr Frýba