Dumfries racer Allan McNish made a spectacular and triumphant homecoming to the UK in front of 53,000 fans by steering his diesel-engined Audi to a stunning victory in the 1000km of Silverstone, the final round of the European-based Le Mans Series.
The 38-year-old, partnered by co-driver Dindo Capello, swept his Audi R10 TDI to a two-lap victory in the 620-mile race. McNish, who won the Le Mans 24-Hours race in June, was competing in the UK for the first time since 2005.
To add to the Scot’s delight, the sister Audi of Frenchman Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller finished fourth to claim the drivers’ championship. With both cars finishing in the top four, Audi also denied Peugeot for the manufacturers’ title.
“I started this race with a very clear objective and that was to add a Silverstone victory to this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours triumph,” McNish said today. “So to ultimately triumph against the odds makes today’s champagne taste even sweeter.”
McNish started the 195-lap race from third place on the 46-car grid on the 3.19-mile grand prix circuit in Northamptonshire and had bullied his way in to second place in typically aggressive fashion by the first corner.
After pitting with a puncture just after half distance, Capello found himself back in 19th place but recovered to hand the car back to McNish having recovered to second but over a lap behind the sister Audi.
Setting fastest lap after fastest lap, McNish unlapped himself and had reduced the gap to 17secs with 30-laps remaining. With 22 laps remaining he swept into the lead when Prémat pitted with a rear suspension problem.
“What a brilliant race and a fantastic result,” McNish beamed afterwards. “Winning in front of so many home supporters is the perfect way to finish the season.”
JM