Kristensen: “My heart is in Sports Cars”

The Danish racing legend Tom Kristensen is most known for his eight Le Mans-victories. But Kristensen has a longer history in Touring Car-racing and has been a front runner of DTM since 2004. TouringCarTimes met up with Kristensen for an interview on, among other things, where his heart really is – Sports Cars or Touring Cars?

You were a big part of the successful year for Audi in Motorsport by taking your eight Le Mans victory. But your season in DTM has not been equally successful, why?

“Sometimes I am able to win races in DTM. But it is difficult to explain… This year Ii had the chance to win three races! On the other site, why wasn’t Bernd Schneider able to win the championship again? There are special situations… In 2006 I finished third in the championship and I was the best Audi-driver.

It’s sad, but this season Mercedes had the better car. This year I finished third two times, fourth once and I finished eight in the championship. I started from pole three times and was in the lead, but once I jumped the start and the other two times I was on the wrong tyres. I am really disappointed about that.”

You had a serious crash last year at Hockenheim, has the accident affected you?

“I honestly do not know if the accident has affected me yet. The accident still is in my body and will be for a while. I have to deal with it. I am not affected by it every day and I feel that I am getting better. But let’s say like this: I am still on a high level, but I do not know if it is the same level as I was on before.”

Where is your heart, in touring cars or sportscars?

“My heart is in sportscars. I am very sucessfull in sportscars and without the victories there, I am sure that I wouldn’t have had the chance to race in DTM. When Audi was out of Le Mans for one year they decided to go in to DTM and that was the reason why I am in DTM now. If you look back at DTM, I am the last remaining sports car-driver there. Previous sports car and endurance-drivers have had problems with the DTM cars.”

You’ve scored eight victories at Le Mans. Which win was the best?

“The first and last victories are the ones you normally remember. I am like a child each time I win. All of them are deep in my heart and they have their own character. I’ve fought very hard for each victory. The Le Mans-race this year was very special as we had a hard fight with Peugeot. They had a much better car compared to our Audi, but our long distance performance and efficiency was better. It was a victory for all of us in the team.”

With the eight victories you are the most successful driver in the history of Le Mans, one of the most known racing events in the world. Are you recognized by people on the street in Denmark?

“The fact is that people do recognize me when I am walking through a city in Denmark. But when I am in other countries, the situation is different.”

Will we see you in DTM next year again?

“We have not taken a decision yet. We have to discuss all possibilities and Audi Motorsport have to make a decision on their programs first. After that we will see how things evolve.”

There are changes reported for DTM, what do you think of the current state of the championship?

“I would like to see five manufacturers in DTM. But we do have a good show with two manufacturers. More manufacturers would of course be great, but the fact that the final DTM-race this year was sold out says that the championship still is very strong.”

Where do you think you will be in five or ten years?

“I am 41 years old now and I do not think that I will race in ten years. That is quite clear. I would not like to celebrate my 50th birthday as an active racing driver.”