What the Drivers Said After the 6 Hours of Fuji

Hypercar Winner – #6 Porsche Penske 963 Hypercar

André Lotterer

“I’m super happy about having this victory here at Fuji. It's been taken away a few times back in the Audi days, so it was always a big wish, so thank you to my great teammates.

“Laurens set the foundation there, and then I took over. The car felt great so we could keep a real good rhythm. I just had a bit of action there with the #50 Ferrari, who was defending quite hard, so I had to take the risk to pass. But then things went smoothly.

“I think the great thing about this team is that we managed to do the best with what gets thrown at us, our engineer and everyone are all so well prepared with all the scenarios to pick the right one. We've seen this throughout the season, even when we had to fight from the back and this just shows our strength.”

Kévin Estre

“I think the AC (air-conditioning) had a lot of condensed water, and it went on the brake pedal, so I went braking for turn one and I didn't have the grip I wanted under my foot.

“It was a scary moment but it was all good. Then the #8 Toyota came out with probably some cool tyres or at least one side cool and was a bit slower. It was also one lap down or was about to get one lap down and he definitely did not try to let me buy. He blocked everywhere, and I had to pass then he repassed me, and so on and it was quite hot.

“We had some little contact in Turn 15. They throw stuff at us, but I think we are stronger this year, so they keep throwing, but somehow they don't succeed, which is good for us.”

Laurens Vanthoor

“We had a good car in the race, for sure. And we spoke about, actually, before the race, having been a bit of a conservative in Austin and Interlagos, because we're leading the championship. So, we thought this might be a good weekend for us, so we capitalize on it and let's try and move forward. Luckily, I could get past the two Toyotas quickly, which was quite important for our championship battle. Then we just had a good car and a good strategy and could get up to the to the lead.

“It's even a little bit emotional (to be on the podium with his brother Dries)  because it's a world championship and I'm not sure that happens very often. It's a career dream and I guess at home, my father, mother, sister and so on, they are all happy, and I saw some with a tear in their eyes. So, it's definitely a special moment, which I think both of us will remember for a long time.”

LMGT3 Winner – No.54 VISTA AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3

Thomas Flohr

“We're so motivated by the fans, I don't think there's any better fans around the world than the Japanese ones, they are so enthusiastic.

“So far it’s been a quite difficult season, with a lot of bad luck. In Qatar, we were on the wrong side of the full course yellow and we lost half a lap. And then in Le Mans, unfortunately, I had a crash. In Interlagos completely out of the blue we got hit by the Porsche and then we didn't make it to the start at COTA.

“I think it's the strength of the Ferrari VISTA AF Corse team is that two weeks after such a deep disappointment we got ourselves together, and we're fighting for the win here.

“Davide and Francesco have done an unbelievable job to bring this home. They convinced me this morning that I had to do a double stint but I wasn't that convinced. Yet, in the end, it was the right strategy, so I stayed in the car.

“This is a super tough track in terms of being abrasive to the tyres. The management was key today and I think it was better to do 97% than 100% and do a double stint on the same tyres.”

Francesco Castellacci

“Two weeks ago, we didn't even make it to the grid for a full pump issue, and two weeks later, we win the race. So, this is racing, and you need also little black and you could put the package all together

“Ferrari did a great job to give us this car, which is which is really competitive and I am very happy and proud of Thomas and Davide who did an amazing stint at the end, and Thomas to manage to do the double stint. It's really impressive.”

Davide Rigon

“Francesco started very well and Thomas did the double stint today when it was hot and humid and difficult to drive in this circuit where you have to do a lot of laps with the same set of tyres.

“Then I completed the job in the end with a very good and balanced car. I think yesterday, we were not so sure about our setup, but we did the final tuning, so we have to say thanks to the engineers working for us and all the group that did the amazing pit stops.

“The Ferrari 296 was an amazing car, and very well prepared. I enjoy a lot to overtake the Porsche and knew I could be a little aggressive with the Porsche because they were fighting for the championship and I knew they would allow me to overtake and the McLaren I made a nice move at T5 too.”