Lemarie and Coronel join Johansson in Gulf Audi

BAR-Honda tester Patrick Lemarie and versatile Dutch driver Tom Coronel will join Stefan Johansson in the Swede's Gulf Audi R8 for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours

Jun 4, 2001, 4:56 PM

Team leader Johansson, veteran of 103 Grands Prix and a former Le Mans winner, said that with its driver line up, the Gulf car could be the surprise package of the 69th 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"I'm absolutely delighted that two drivers of this calibre will driver with me at Le Mans," he said. "We have a formidable team with the capacity to challenge for honours.

"Endurance racing requires a special discipline to bring the car home after 24 hours of competitive racing and Patrick and Tom are highly talented drivers and will be quick learners in the art. There is now a good balance of experience and youth."

Frenchman Lemarie has been testing for the BAR Formula 1 team for the past two years while Coronel, the 1999 Formula Nippon Champion, is currently competing in the FIA GT Championship with defending champions Lister.

Johansson's R8 is one of four in the field, along with a pair of works cars and the Champion team's privateer entry