McNish: quiet R10 is very different

The former Toyota Formula One driver is part of the Audi squad who will this year attempt to drive the first diesel-powered sportscar to victory in the endurance classic.

Those who witnessed the R10's historic win in Sebring's 12-hour race in March will have realised that the car is far quieter than a normal racing car because of the diesel engine, which McNish says makes for a unique driving challenge.

"Definitely here we're going to feel that sensation, or lack of sensation, more than anywhere else because of the speeds on the straights," McNish told autosport.com.

"But above 200km/h, the wind noise going over your helmet is actually more than the engine noise behind you. So it's a different understanding of what you're working with, in a way.

"But you get used to it; there's no question there, you get used to it. All of us have got enough experience of Audi and also of Le Mans, to know roughly where we should brake and what we should do with the throttle anyway.

"But definitely, the sound from the driving side is very different, and I think also from the spectators on the stands, you know, they'll hear something that's going past very quickly but sounds very quiet. Well, I hope it goes past very quickly!"