Driver comments ahead of BES Round 2 at Silverstone 29.05.2013: Blancpain Endurance Series Round Two: Silverstone preview quotes Mike Parisy, #11 ART Grand Prix McLaren MP4-12C (PRO CUP)

Blancpain Endurance Series Round Two: Silverstone preview quotes





Mike Parisy, #11 ART Grand Prix McLaren MP4-12C (PRO CUP)

“Actually, Monza was a real test for me with ART Grand Prix, and after our good race there, they asked me to do Silverstone with them too which is nice. So, I will do my second race with a prestigious and quality team, with a very good car and a first-class driver line-up.


So, we hope to defend our second place in the series points standings and even maybe take the lead during a race “at home” for the McLaren MP4 12C, in England.”



Adam Carroll , #69 Gulf Racing McLaren MP4-12C (PRO CUP)

“We are confident coming to Silverstone. The Gulf Racing team is working hard on the car and I think we can be at the very front during the weekend and I am really excited. The Blancpain Endurance Series is probably one of the hardest grids in the world and it is always tough to get to the front.


 Last year was the first time in a GT car for me and has opened up a lot of possibilities for my career. There are still some great corners on the Silverstone circuit, which make it very good fun to drive on and in the Gulf Racing McLaren MP4-12C it should be mega.”



Michela Cerruti, #43 ROAL Motorsport BMW Z4 (PRO-AM)

“My priority this year is my commitment to BMW in the Blancpain Endurance Series and in the Italian GT championship. So far, results wise, in Monza we were pretty unlucky because we had a crash in the second stint.


I think Silverstone will be a better for the ROAL Motorsport BMW Z4, so I think we will have more chance to get a result. “



Andrea Bertolini, #50 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia (PRO-AM)

“I think Silverstone will also be a good track for us, so I hope we can challenge for the win at least. The AF Corse team did a really excellent job at Monza. I am very proud of Niek (Hommerson) and Louis (Machiels) because they follow all the advice I give them.


I think that we are a really strong team in PRO-AM and the relationships we have developed and the continuity we have makes us very strong. It is important that we remain focused because the competition is really high in the Blancpain Endurance Series and it is important we follow everything properly so we can have another great weekend at Silverstone.”



Duncan Tappy, #19 Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 (PRO-AM)

“Silverstone should be good for the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 as it is a very stable car in the quick corners. I have a lot of experience driving the SLS road car so I will have a good feeling right away.


We will see how much different the GT version feels next weekend. I am really looking forward to joining such a top team like Black Falcon and can’t wait to get started at my home track.”



Jonny Adam, #99 Beechdean Aston Martin Vantage GT3 (PRO-AM)

“At Silverstone last year it was the first time I ran the new Aston Martin GT3 car. We didn’t get results but the speed of the car was very good in the race and in qualifying as well.


The Aston Martin is a reliable car and Beechdean a terrific team, so we will be there or thereabouts I’m sure at Silverstone. We were fourth in our class in Monza, it would have been lovely to be on the podium but that will be our aim next weekend for sure.”



Adam Christodoulou, #18 Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 (PRO AM)

(On racing at his home track and having worked there as an instructor) “It will just make things a bit easier to get quicker data analysis and in general it always helps to know the track intimately. But Klaas (Hummel) and Steve (Jans) are very fast drivers and I expect that we will be fighting for another podium.


 The Mercedes just proved that it is a better car in race than in qualifying at Monza, so as long as we can improve our qualifying it should make things a bit easier for the race, if we stay out of trouble which is exactly what we did last time in Italy.”



Karsten Molitor, Team Manager MRS GT Racing McLaren (PRO-AM)

"We were able to show in Monza what the team and our McLaren are able to achieve, but we have to be realistic concerning our possibilities now. All the merit of this amazing start goes to our engineers and to Philipp Eng who in my opinion is the fastest and best driver in a McLaren today.


Unfortunately, Philipp will not be at Silverstone, as he will be competing at the Red Bull Ring in the Porsche Carrera Cup, with us. Rodin Younessi and Carlos Kray will join their effort with a British driver, in order to bring the car at the top of the PRO-AM points."



Jerome Policand, #10 SOFREV/ASP Ferrari 458 Italia (Gentlemen Trophy)

“Silverstone is a track where we had the worst results last year, but as our main objective this season is in the Gentlemen Trophy, the car is still important but not decisive. It is not like in PRO CUP, where they need to go for the last tenth, to get the best time and result.


For us, it is more important to have a consistent line-up that is able to avoid making any mistakes. So, we do not really worry on the car performance too much but look at the consistency.”


- Sam  Smith, photo VIMAGES/Fabre