ALMS title defenders and RS Spyder drivers Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas.

Stuttgart. With the 12 hour race in Sebring/Florida, the new American Le Mans Series season takes off on 15th March. Driving the Porsche RS Spyder, Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) contest America’s oldest sports car race as title defenders and consider their chances to be good. “We are very well prepared,” says Timo Bernhard, “and we will do everything in our power to build on Porsche’s great success with the RS Spyder at this classic.”

Question: You have conducted comprehensive tests with the RS Spyder over the winter. How do you feel on the eve of the season-opener?

Timo Bernhard: I feel very well prepared. The results from our tests with the RS Spyder were very good and we ascertained that there are absolutely no problems with reliability. This is particularly crucial at Sebring.

Romain Dumas: As we had no technical problems with the car during preparations, this gave us time to try out various solutions with the set-up of the RS Spyder. In Sebring it’s not easy to find an optimal set-up because the circuit changes quite significantly over the course of the day. With low temperatures in the morning the grip is really good, but when the circuit warms up in the afternoon the grip deteriorates rapidly. Another important factor is the wind which has a strong influence on the car’s aerodynamics in the very quick corners. Because we know after testing how the car behaves under changing track conditions we can directly address this. It’s certainly a great advantage.

Question: In which way is the new RS Spyder better than last year and how do you notice these changes?

imo Bernhard: We have improved the aerodynamics, which you naturally notice most in the quick corners. The changes have an overall positive effect. Without doubt, we’ve taken a step forward.

Romain Dumas: You shouldn’t forget that we have another year of experience with the RS Spyder under our belts. So we have moved along and travel to Sebring with a totally different level of knowledge.

Question: You head into the new season as title defenders. Does this make you more relaxed or does your champion status give you even more motivation?

Romain Dumas: Of course it’s great for your confidence to have already won the title once. For me it’s more of a motivation to achieve the same result and successfully defend the title. Particularly because there are many strong new drivers competing and hence the competition, especially in our class, has become tougher.

Timo Bernhard: I definitely want to win the championship again this year. That’s my goal and that’s what I’ve worked towards over the winter. I have done a lot for my fitness level and I can hardly wait to go racing.

Question: At the winter tests in Sebring you had the chance to make a direct comparison with the competition. What were your impressions?

Timo Bernhard: The competition in our class is even stronger than last season. But this was to be expected. Acura has collected a year’s more experience that they can use to their advantage. Aside from that they have strengthened their driver line-up considerably.

Romain Dumas: We will have to do everything we can to stay in front again this season. But I’m feeling very optimistic. With our Porsche-supported Penske Racing team we have a very good and experienced squad behind us. Particularly when it comes to race strategies and pit stops I dare say there is no better team in the American Le Mans Series.

Question: With the Sebring 12 hour classic as the season-opener you also tackle the toughest hurdle. Would you rather have had an easier start to the season?

Romain Dumas: No. Sebring is the longest race of the year and the hardest on man and machine. But at least you know where you stand compared to your rivals. I reckon Sebring is a fascinating season-opener.

Timo Bernhard: I feel the same. The many fast corners place huge demands on us drivers, as do the bumps that well and truly shake us up. But we train hard to be top fit from the very first race. You can’t just come to Sebring and expect to drive amongst the front-runners. That doesn’t happen. You have to do a great deal of detailed work with your team, otherwise you have no chance. It’s important that the basis is solid and that with a top result at Sebring you are in the title race right from the very beginning. For Porsche and us I’m very confident.

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