Motorsport

17th February 2007

And the 1997 title holder was delighted with the machine he will drive in this year’s classic. “This is a true racer,” he said. “I didn’t expect that from a diesel.

“It accelerates quickly, it runs in curves at high speed and it brakes in an impressive way. What struck me most is the absence of noise in the cockpit when you’re standing still.”

The Canadian, who was sacked by BMW halfway through last year’s grand prix season, was testing the car at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France. Meanwhile, flying Scot Dario Franchitti is set to compete in selected American Le Mans Series events in a Honda-powered Courage machine.

He will race alongside former IndyCar team-mate, American Bryan Herta. When Dario’s commitments for the single-seater Andretti Green Racing squad get in the way, his brother, Marino, will drive the car.

The 28-year-old makes his debut alongside Dario and Herta in the Sebring 12 Hours next month. “This is the biggest thing to happen in my career,” he said. “I’m looking forward to joining AGR and helping it achieve its first victory. Bryan has a tremendous amount of experience from open-wheel racing as well as sports cars and I plan to learn all I can from him.” Elsewhere, Aston Martin is cutting back on its competition programme. Various independently run teams will field DBR9s in the FIA GT Championship and Le Mans Endurance Series,
but the official factory outfit will contest only this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. British stars Darren Turner and David Brabham will be among its drivers. Having been beaten by arch-rival Corvette for the last two seasons, Aston is keen to take top GT1 honours this year.