Rockenfeller apologises to team

Mike Rockenfeller has publicly apologised to his teammates for crashing out of the Le Mans 24 Hours in the third hour of the race

Glenn Freeman Jun 16, 2007, 9:27 PM

The German driver crashed heavily at Tertre Rouge, and he was forced to retire when he could not get the car back to the pits.

Audi have said that they were urging their young drivers to be cautious, but Rockenfeller crashed immediately after setting the fastest lap for the No. 3 car.

"I feel so sorry for my teammates and the entire team," said Rockenfeller. "It's very difficult for me to find the right words."

Rockenfeller was out on track when the weather conditions were still changeable, and he admitted that he hit a wet patch of track before he went off.

"I was on my third lap in mixed conditions when I went on the painted part of the track at Tertre Rouge. I lost the rear, got sideways and went backwards into the guardrail.

"I tried everything to fix the car and bring it back to the pits but it was too heavily damaged."