Allan McNish Press Release
Dumfries-born Allan McNish is planning a mouth-watering Chinese “take-away” in Shanghai on Saturday (9 Nov) by becoming Scotland’s first ever sportscar world champion.
A fourth place finish or better in his hybrid-diesel Audi at the penultimate FIA World Endurance Championship round in China would make McNish Britain’s first sportscar world champion for 21 years.
“I’m not interested in any title permutations – my focus remains as it always is, to win the race,” confirmed McNish.
“Tom, Loïc and I are in a good [championship] position but I have been in motorsport long enough to know that it is never over until it’s over and so we’ll continue with our normal focus in Shanghai.”
McNish plus co-drivers Tom Kristensen (Den) and Loïc Duval (F) have already swept their pioneering Audi R18 e-tron quattro to three victories – including the Le Mans 24 Hours – and three second places in the six races run to date.
The Audi “factory” driver finished second on his debut at the 3.39-mile Grand Prix circuit located 30-miles north-west of Shanghai in the corresponding race last year that closed out the WEC season.
Whereas as he headed to Shanghai with a 16.5pt deficit 12 months ago, McNish starts this year’s Six Hours of Shanghai with a 40.75pt advantage and intent on winning his first-ever world title in his 20 plus year motor racing career with a race to spare.
Allan continued: “Our R18 didn’t really have the competitiveness we needed there in 2012 but the work Audi Sport did over the winter with the aerodynamics, the hybrid system and tyres has put us ahead of our rivals.
“Tom and I were fast there last year and we finished second. We were very close to pole-position just behind the Toyota and I think that it’s clear for us we go there to try and win.”
The Driver’s title can now only be won by one of the two Audi Sport Team Joest crews with 52pts still up for grabs in the remaining two races. Defending WEC champions Marcel Fässler (CH)/André Lotterer (D)/Benoît Tréluyer (F) as normal drive a second Audi R18 e-tron quattro in China.
“After last month’s Fuji race was abandoned and with no green flag laps having been run there, teams and drivers will carry over a lot of energy and desire from Japan to China,” said McNish.
“Toyota is entering two cars which is good news and that means it will be double the fight with them not to mention the ‘sister’ Audi which is still in the title hunt.”
Photo credit: Audi Media
