Oliver Gavin: Le Mans green push mustn't destroy noise appeal

The dramatic engine note of the Corvette GT cars has made them a fan favourite, whereas the diesel-powered generation of works LMP1 cars were significantly quieter.

Gavin fears sportscar racing's appeal will be reduced if loud cars like the Corvette become a thing of the past.

"You've got to have the noise and that experience. People need to see the cars going quickly, but also hear the cars," he said on the AUTOSPORT Stage with KX at AUTOSPORT International.

"If everything was silent, I think a lot of people would be switching off."

He underlined that he welcomed motorsport's environmental push, but that the entertainment factor had to be considered in tandem.

"It has to be dovetailed together," said Gavin. "There's obviously the green message out there and all these systems and renewable fuels, and obviously the ACO is going in that direction.

"But one thing I think we have to be very careful of is that people come along to these races to experience it. They want to see the cars, hear them and almost taste it.

"That noise is one of those things that people engage with."