Alonso on 2019 Le Mans win: "It was luck"
F1 News
- Jake Williams-Smith
Fernando Alonso says that his second Le Mans victory was down to luck after the second Toyota car hit trouble late on in the race.
Having built a sizable gap to Alonso, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima in the #8 car, the #7 Toyota piloted by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez suffered two punctures according to team data inside the final hour, forcing the #7 to pit and handing the lead to the #8 team.
Speaking after the race, the two-time Formula 1 world champion admitted the race victory was rather fortuitous and added that he hoped the team returned next year and claimed a redemption victory.
"It was luck that gave us the trophy, we'll take it, because motorsport is like that. I hope they'll win next year," Alonso told media.
"I can imagine what they are feeling after 2016 in the last lap for us, it must be terrible."
The 2019 Le Mans race marked the final outing for Alonso with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in the World Endurance Championship.
By virtue of the win, he also claimed the WEC championship crown with his teammates, adding to his already illustrious honours list.