Kristensen: recovery is complete

Kristensen stepped back into the prototype in qualifying for the first time since suffering injuries in a DTM crash at Hockenheim in April.

The team and medical staff decided that the Dane was fit to race after a test in a DTM car at Brands Hatch last week, but Kristensen admitted that it was last night's session that finally removed any lingering self-doubt.

"I'd say that the finishing touch on the healing process, after the headaches and what I have been through, was to get in and out of the R10," he said.

"So I think maybe they should put that into the manuals in the hospitals...

"Of course a lot of things went through my mind yesterday, being away for quite a long time.

"I was always sure that it was the right thing to do for myself. But it's also nice to know the evening after practice that it was also the right thing to do for the whole team, and my co-drivers, who have given me maximum support, which helped me to go back to being that confident.

"Being in the car, it is much better. I know that everything is back to normal. The downside, which I will mention now and then I won't mention again, because I only look forward, is that I have gained a little bit of weight, and I don't have a lot of track time on the new circuit. But everything else is positive.

"I have so much motivation to go back and do a good job and repay the faith that Audi and my great little bunch of co-drivers have given me."

Bad weather and a lengthy interruption by a red flag interfered with most of the teams' planned programmes last night.

Kristensen, however, insisted that the No. 2 Audi that he shares with Allan McNish and Dindo Capello had a productive evening, despite being edged off the top of the timesheets by Peugeot.

"Everyone is of course struggling to get enough circuit time," he said. "Dindo got the least laps in yesterday, and he will get a bit more today, but yesterday we achieved maybe more than we thought."

Besides having had to get on top of his own fitness, Kristensen and Audi face serious manufacturer opposition this year from the two diesel Peugeots. Having now seen the cars together on the track, the seven-time winner said that he looks forward to the fight.

"I have great respect that the Lions are here, and they have a good and very aggressive approach for the race," he said.

"I trust and have faith in the reliability of our car, I know that we can go out and give 100 percent in our cars, and do it for a very long time. What's happening with the others, we will take as it comes.

"But confidence is building up and we will be ready for the start on Saturday.

"It is different this year. The approach is different, and of course it is a different challenge. I think life is all about challenges, but the biggest one of all always comes in June.

"There are so many phases in 24 hours, and there is so much thrown at you - unknown surprises, when everything is feeling good. It's the good old saying, that when everything feels in control, that is the first sign of weakness.

"You need Lady Luck, but Lady Luck will only come to you if you are confident enough to ask her for a dance."