Autosportfoto

Nissan DeltaWing's Retirement - A valiant effort

After contact with the No.7 Toyota TS 030 Hybrid pitched the No.0 Nissan DeltaWing into the wall at the Karting corner, it was down to Japanese driver Satoshi Motoyama to try and get the car back to the pit lane. In these instances, the team is allowed to talk to the driver and coach him in what needs to be done to the car, but only the driver is allowed to touch his machine.

Motoyama tried everything he could to get the car going again, but with no luck. It was too badly damaged to be able to bring it back to the garage for repairs. He said afterwards: "When we went green I was trying to let the leaders by and not interfere with their race but the Toyota swung across and hit me very hard.

"Once I was on the grass there was nothing I could do. The Nissan DeltaWing was in the wall very hard but I was very determined to try to get the car back to the pits. The crew could give me instructions, but I am the only person who can touch the car. We tried for a long time to find a way to get the car back to the pits, but the damage was just too much.

"I had two great stints and was really enjoying my time in the car. We had a really long safety car period and I was really looking forward to finishing off my last stint. I have had such a great time driving this car and I've loved working with Marino, Michael and the entire team. We have really shown what the future of sportscar racing could look like - ultra efficient.

"I really hope I can get the opportunity to drive the car again, because we really do have unfinished business. I am certain the car would have run for a long time if not for the contact."

Photo: CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, LE MANS, SARTHE, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. 16TH JUNE 2012. Satoshi Motoyama of the Highcroft Racing Nissan DeltaWing team.