Tom Kristensen

Tom ‘Mr Le Mans’ Kristensen, who was the drivers’ nominee on the stewards’ panel during the last Indian GP, spoke to The Telegraph on the day Sebastian Vettel made it a hat-trick at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

Excerpts...

Q A record nine wins at Le Mans... No wonder you’re regarded as ‘Mr Le Mans’...

A We drive as a team and, yes, I’ve been part of the winning unit on nine occasions between 1997 and this year. There are two other drivers and none of us can drive for more than four hours at a stretch. Usually, the 24 hours gets equally shared.

[Denmark’s Tom’s teammates are Loic Duval from France and Scotsman Allan McNish.]

The 24 hours Le Mans has to rank very high on the endurance scale. Is it, then, the ultimate race?

It’s incredibly tough and the driving is hard. The fact that you can’t sleep makes it more challenging. Le Mans is part of the FIA’s World Endurance Championship, which features eight races. We were last in Japan and will be in China next.

How do you stay focused?

You’ve got to have a lot of adrenaline... It’s so demanding... When you’re younger, there’s more hunger and the will to succeed (is greater). Getting into rhythm is important.

It’s also such a fast race...

The top speed is around 330-340 kmph and the high-speed corners are very similar to those on an F1 track... The aerodynamics of the cars have improved and they can be driven flat out.

Staying fit must be a challenge?

There’s plenty of endurance training... Running, cycling. Stamina is the key.

Do you, for example, meditate to keep the concentration going?

(Smiles) I believe in my team and trust the calmness within me.

You’re Audi’s top gun, but Mark Webber (Porsche) will be there from next year. Won’t it become more competitive?

Porsche have a great record at Le Mans, we’re catching up... That they’re coming back indeed is good news for the sport.

How do you expect Webber to perform, after more than a decade in F1?

I respect Webber, but he’s not the first F1 driver moving over to the World Endurance Championship.

What goes into the making of a champion driver?

Commitment, speed, consistency. You need to be light, but strong... You also need good teammates to succeed in events like the 24 hours Le Mans.

Your thoughts on Vettel, the F1 world champion for four consecutive years?

I rate Vettel very highly. He’s having the run of his life... He’s got the self-belief and that’s backed up by a great car. F1 calls for getting the best out of all the elements... Vettel has been doing that. Clearly, Red Bull are at the top for a reason.

What brought you to racing?

My father (Carl Erik), who was himself a racer... He’s had a big influence on me... I was born at a gas station in Hobro, so there had to be some connection with motorsport! I believe destiny has played its part.

Who are the drivers you’ve admired?

Jacky Ickx... Ayrton Senna... Mario Andretti.

Just how popular is motorsport in Denmark?

It’s popular, but football and handball are extremely popular.

You’ve driven at the BIC, with the medical team. Your impressions?

It’s very good, very technical. I would love to race on the track.

Lastly... There’s no Indian GP next year. Do you find that disappointing?

I’d love to have more Grands Prix here, but there are a lot of other nice tracks too. I hope F1 returns to India... I hope to return, too.