Stephane Ortelli

['stanger]

If Ortelli is racing for Aston, what is Audi on about...or can someone fill out the details Ive missed? (below)

Jean Marc Gounon and Stéphane Ortelli to drive the ‘French’ Audi R8


Tuesday, 15 February 2005
Le Mans 24h Audi-France, Playstation and Hugues de Chaunac have made their choice. The first two drivers for the Team’s Audi R8 will be Jean Marc Gounon and Stéphane Ortelli. Both have made their mark in endurance racing, as well as having excellent experience in the ’24 Hours of Le Mans’, with a total of three podium finishes between them. An overall win (1998) and a second place (2000, already with an Audi R8) for Ortelli, and a second place (1997) for Gounon.

[racefan_uk]

Ortelli is in the Aston for ALMS races and Sebring. The Astons haven't been given Le Masn entries at this point in time. So Oreca (and Audi France) have given him the chance to go for outright glory in the R8.

The contract for the six Aston drivers only covers what they can get entries in at this point in time, if Le Mans opens up later in the year, then they'll more than likely do that. A good showing at Sebring will help them with a Le Mans entry.

['stanger]

Thanks, I did look up the current starters on planetlemans.com and they state the Aston entries as pending...

Prodrive Aston Martin DBR9 Pre-selected entry "awaiting approval", 2nd entry sought David Brabham, Tomas Enge, Darren Turner, Peter Kox, Pedro Lamy, Stephane Ortelli

At this point and according to the site, Oreca is unconfirmed with '3 French Drivers'.

I imagine both teams will want Ortelli - given his experience - driving?!

[zebedee]

oreca is unconfirmed but French Audi and 3 French drivers (including JMG and Ortelli) - do you think that looks attractive to the ACO selection panel - its as good as an automatic entry if you ask me!

['stanger]

Agree 100%. I wonder if Aston will though? Ortelli is a top Le Mans driver for sure, but even if his contract to Aston did not tie him into the 24 hrs, there are many british drivers capable of taking the seat. Lets hope it is a clear cut decision and the team is not unsettled? Beating the C6 wont be easy...