2023 Sportscar Discussion - WEC/ELMS/AsLMS

pimmy · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 1:43 pm

That's come out of the blue. It's always a shame to see drivers at the top of their game retiring.

I doubt we'll be seeing Kristensen around for much longer, either.

kals · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 1:44 pm

Schumifan wrote:

Kelly McNish posted this on the midweek motorsport listeners collective:

Quote:

My husband has officially announced that he is hanging up his helmet and will no longer race at the level he is at now. He feels it is time to move on, he has achieved what he wanted to do and now believes it is time to concentrate on the next stage of his career and life.

When he first told me I did heave a sigh of relief and at that moment realised that sometimes it was a bit hard for me to see him doing what he does best. On the other side when I watched him race it has been pretty special to sit with a quiet pride knowing that he was one of the best, cleverest racing drivers in the world.

I have been along with him for the ride for the past 15 or so years, I have gained a few wrinkles after a few hairy moments but we have met lots of fab people, seen lots of things and learnt loads along the way. Always grateful that this path brought us to Monaco where I have to say I love living and appreciate the nice life we have here.

Allan will still be super busy – he will be commentating, guiding young drivers and instructing me how to load the dishwasher. I think his work schedule for next year is similar to this year so, my friends, you will still all be my company when he is away.

I couldn’t be prouder of him but I do wonder what he will want to do for adrenalin kicks now…..

My Scotsman has been released.

This is awesome, Kelly McNish is pure class.

Fish88 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 1:45 pm

Did not see that coming... At least he retired at the top of his game, but still sad to see him leave.

Sad year for the Scottish with Dario forced to retired, Di Resta out of F1 and now this.

James B · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:12 pm

I'm surprised, but you forget how old he is and how long a career he has had. He was racing in F3 back in 1989 and first won Le Mans 15 years ago. It's a testament to his ability that he has remained so fast consistently over such a long period of time

Still, he's fortunate to be doing it on his own terms - not just the Le Mans crash but the 130R crash in F1 and the Donington F3000 crash too. As with Dario, you could say it's a shame he never got a fair crack at F1 but he has probably been more successful away from it than he would have been if he'd got into F1 in the mid-90s (or earlier - iirc he was one of the contenders to replace Gachot at Spa in 91) and hung around for a while, so I doubt he'll have too many regrets. I hope we get to see him on TV a fair bit as he's good at that too

Gaara · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 2:46 pm

Wow thats out of the blue, but hes ben succsessful and he is leaving on his own terms. Nothing left he needd to prove, he is a legend.

ellis · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 3:34 pm

No Allan, Dario or Sean in 2014. On a personal level, 2014 is going to suck a huge amount for me and feel quite empty.

Bleh. So. Can we at LEAST put Marino Franchitti in an Audi so there is someone I can support? He deserves a drive.

kals · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 3:59 pm

What about Di Resta?

deggis · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:02 pm

kals wrote:

What about Di Resta?

iirc said still targeting F1 seat.

Fish88 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:38 pm

I'm pretty sure he is heading back to DTM.

kals · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:54 pm

Do Mercedes have enough seats available to accommodate Di Resta within their DTM line up?

Fish88 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:03 pm

Maybe an other brand? It is not like his relationship with Merc is going to bring him any further career wise. If he stays with Merc he only can do DTM. If he goes to Audi he might be able to combine some stuff, I thought I read he also was interested in sportcars.

ellis · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:47 pm

kals wrote:

What about Di Resta?

He's pretty good, better than the impression people have of him IMO. But purely on a personal level, I've talked to Marino and Dario quite a bit, and Allan a few times..so I'd prefer Marino in the seat. He keeps getting passed by and screwed over when he deserves better.

westracing01 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:08 pm

Sucks about Allan, but nice to see he's hanging it up while on top and not a has been. Still think his Petite Lemans drive a few odd years ago ranks way at the top. Threw it off the road on the out lap, started the race 3 or 4 laps down and he and the team clawed that all back in dodgy conditions to the lead and win in the final 30 mins or so.

De Cesaris fan · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 6:46 pm

That is a real shame. I know he's in his 40s now, but he didn't appear to have lost any of his speed. I'm sure he could have won another Le Mans. Fair play to him for retiring at the top though. Hope we still see him around.

kart99 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:23 pm

kals wrote:

Do Mercedes have enough seats available to accommodate Di Resta within their DTM line up?

I do believe Mercedes are expanding the number of cars they are running, so that is a possibility.

ptclaus98 · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:24 pm

westracing01 wrote:

Sucks about Allan, but nice to see he's hanging it up while on top and not a has been. Still think his Petite Lemans drive a few odd years ago ranks way at the top. Threw it off the road on the out lap, started the race 3 or 4 laps down and he and the team clawed that all back in dodgy conditions to the lead and win in the final 30 mins or so.

2008, I was there.

Juihi · PostPosted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:50 pm

oh wow, did not expect this!, it's going to be a shame not seeing him out on track at Le Mans but I really hope he gets into the commentry booth! always love his insightful comments

codename_47 · PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:37 am

I'm hoping this means we'll hear a lot more of him on the BBC's F1 coverage tbh.
His commentary on Practice this year (well, he did the races for the radio too, but I only heard him on practice ) were very insightful and entertaining and I think he's a lot more jovial and fun to listen to than Coulthard so perhaps he might be given a go on the TV commentary, bumping DC back down to pundit?

Also, is this ANOTHER exclusive for Radio Le Mans? Damn those guys are on it this year

deggis · PostPosted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:04 pm

https://twitter.com/Audi__Sport

So it's gonna stay black.

TBK-Light.com

2023 Sportscar Discussion - WEC/ELMS/AsLMS

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