Mixed emotions for McNish

Q: Are you disappointed that while Audi won, it wasn't you in the winning car?

Allan McNish: "You come here to win, and as a driver you always do. As a driver, that doesn't change. In the big picture of Audi, it doesn't matter which car wins, but Dindo, Tom and I came here with one goal in mind and unfortunately it didn't quite come up with the answer that we wanted.

"But a podium at Le Mans is still something very special anyway, and from that point of view you have got to put a sense of realism into the thing and realise that what we have done, even though we didn't get the final victory, is still impressive."

Q: So it's a mixed feeling.

McNish: "It's a double-edged sword, because from a team point of view it is absolutely fantastic, but in it we are driven to win.

"And expecially after qualifying and the first couple of hours, we obviously knew that we had the competitiveness to do it, and that we also came here with the knowledge that it was unlikely that we would have success without some sort of tribulation, and that just unfortunately happened on our side. More than it did on any of the others."

Q: Do you feel jinxed?

McNish: "No, not really. We won Sebring. No, it's just the way it is. I don't really go in for all these jinxes and things."

Q: Do you think that the TDI will set the same standard next year?

McNish: "I think so. It is very important this year to come and get as much experience as possible. Because what we saw was that in racing more than testing you find out your weaknesses. And that's where you find out the answers to the question 'Where can the car improve?' And that's why you go racing.

"So I think next year it will still be hopefully the car to beat."

Q: How important is the American Le Mans programme?

McNish: "It is critical. Everybody mistakenly thought that this race was going to be a foregone conclusion, and they think the same thing about America. But Porsche are strong competitors, and I know that personally."

Q: Will you be back again next year for the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Audi?

McNish: "I think you know the way Audi work, and they have long-term plans. Today, Dr. Ullrich said that they can't announce a programme because they don't have it confirmed for 2007. But certainly I would like to come back."

Q: Would you like to come back and win again?

McNish: "Well, I've got a few of these [podium trophies], and I like the bigger one."