Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) contest the Le Mans 24 hour race (12th and 13th June) for Audi. As long distance specialists, the pair provides reinforcement to the driver line-up of the Ingolstadt manufacturer at the wheel of an Audi R15 TDI. In a Porsche RS Spyder, Bernhard and Dumas won all titles in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 class in 2007 and 2008. Last season, they shared the cockpit of a Porsche Riley, competing for Penske Racing in the Grand-Am Series. Both pilots drove the Audi R15 TDI in Le Mans last year.
Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas are regarded as two of the most experienced sports car pilots in the world. Last year, Bernhard claimed his fourth straight overall victory at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, for Dumas it marked his third consecutive win. At the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring – one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races – the Porsche works drivers also brought home victory.
Timo Bernhard celebrated a momentous win in 2003 claiming overall victory at the Daytona 24 hour race. In Le Mans, as well, the German climbed to the top of the podium: In his first year as Porsche works driver in 2002 he won the GT class, and in 2005 he occupied second in the GT2 class.
Romain Dumas also has an impressive record: In addition to their shared victory, the 32-year-old also won the Spa 24 hour event in 2003 and 2004. For the past three years, Dumas has been consigned to LMP1 teams for the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2007, the Porsche factory pilot secured third overall with the Pescarolo team.
“After our bad luck last year I’m very much looking forward to racing for Audi in Le Mans and to fight to overall victory,” says Bernhard. “We gained a huge amount of experience with the vehicle in 2009,” Dumas adds. “Many thanks go to Porsche and Audi who have again made this possible for us.”
Resumé Timo Bernhard
Born on 24 February 1981 in Homburg/Saar (D)
Height, weight: 1.74 m, 60 kg
Porsche works driver since 2002 (Porsche junior since 1999)
Most important successes
2009
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
4th place Grand-Am Series (Daytona Prototypes)
2008
Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins
1st place Sebring 12 Hours (overall)
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2007
Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 8 wins
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2006
3rd place American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2005
2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT2), 4 wins
2nd place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT2)
2004
Champion American Le Mans Series (GT)
3rd place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2003
1st place Daytona 24 Hours (overall)
2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT)
2002
1st place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT)
2nd place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
Resumé Romain Dumas
Born on 14 December 1977 in Alés (F)
Height, weight: 1.75 m, 61 kg
Porsche works driver since 2004
Most important successes
2009
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
4th place Grand-Am Series (Daytona Prototypes)
2008
Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins
1st place Sebring 12 Hours (overall)
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2007
Champion American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 8 wins
1st place Nürburgring 24 Hours (overall)
2006
3rd place American Le Mans Series (LMP2), 4 wins
2005
2nd place American Le Mans Series (GT2), 4 wins
2004
3rd place Le Mans 24 Hours (GT)
1st place Spa 24 Hours (N-GT, 3rd overall)
1st place Le Mans Endurance Series (GT)
2003
1st place Spa 24 Hours (overall)
3rd place Porsche Carrera Cup
2002
2nd place Euro Formula 3000 Championship
Source : Porsche Factory News
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