McNish vs Davidson: Face-to-face
Allan McNish and Anthony Davidson are the two Brits most likely to take top honours in the 79th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Gary Watkins caught up with the pair and pitched them in to quick battle of wits ahead the 2011 event
AUTOSPORT caught up with the two British drivers in the running to win the 79th Le Mans 24 Hours and asked the key questions about the big race this weekend.
Here's what Audi's Allan McNish and Peugeot driver Anthony Davidson had to say...
Q. Who will win the race?
Allan McNish: I can't tell you.
Anthony Davidson: A diesel-powered car!
Q. What are Audi's strengths and what are Peugeot's strengths?
McNish: Audi's strength is its metronomic way of winning big races and an ability to react in a clever and balanced fashion in adverse situations. Peugeot's strengths are raw speed and passion, but as we saw last year those can be weaknesses as well as strengths.
Davidson: Audi's strength is single-lap pace and switching on the tyres for one lap. Our strengths are the driver line-up, reliability and an ability to keep the tyres alive through a stint.
 Allan McNish © LAT
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Q. How many diesels will run through the race without major problems?
McNish: Probably three.
Davidson: That's the golden question. I think just two. Whoever gets through the race without any problems whatsoever out of the six factory cars is going to win the race.
Q. What will the pole time be?
McNish: 3m26s
Davidson: It could possibly a low 3m25.
Q. What will the gap be between Audi and Peugeot in qualifying?
McNish: Three tenths of a second.
Davidson: If two cars have clear runs it will be no more than five to eight tenths.
Q. What will the gap be to the first petrol-powered car in qualifying?
McNish: No idea.
Davidson: Unfortunately it is irrelevant
Q. How many laps will you do on the fuel?
McNish: I'm not going to tell you that.
Davidson: I don' t really know, so let's say 10 to 12.
 Anthony Davidson © LAT
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Q. What will be the surprise of the race?
McNish: The LMP2 winner. I don't know who it will be, but I'm sure it will be a surprise and not one of the fancied teams.
Davidson: I just feel the weather is going to be the surprise. I've done three Le Mans races now and I've never driven in the rain, so I have the feeling it is going to catch up with me.
Q. How long will the best of the new Aston Martin LMP1s last?
McNish: I hope it's 24 hours. We shouldn't be knocking them when they are down.
Davidson: I know they won't give up, so I'd say 16 hours.
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