Strakka boss hails 'amazing' win

The British team defeated pre-event favourite Highcroft Racing to win the class, recording the highest ever finish for an LMP2 car at Le Mans by taking fifth overall.

Strakka, which used a similar HPD ARX-01c to that of works development squad (and reigning American Le Mans Series champion) Highcroft, scored pole position, set a new class lap record in the race, and also recorded a new distance record for an LMP2 car.

Team manager and technical director Phillips said: "To be the highest placed LMP2 car at Le Mans means everything. In our current guise, we've only been around for a year or so.

"For us to turn up here, against heavily favoured opposition, and show them a clean pair of heels is just fantastic.

"It's been 12 months of hard work - getting fantastic staff, the right driver package, the right car, the right engineering team - and this is our reward."

The Strakka HPD, driven by Danny Watts, ex-British Formula 3 champion Jonny Kane, and team owner Nick Leventis, enjoyed a near faultless run at Le Mans - allowing it to lead all but three laps (when it dropped behind Highcroft during a round of pitstops) and claim the Michelin Green X Challenge, a prize for the most efficient performance at the event.

"There's been nobody quicker than us," added Phillips. "To take pole, get fastest lap, and a lights-to-flag win, without any issue whatsoever, is amazing - the engine cover was never off once.

"HPD is a fantastic organization and this [result] is due to them - the car was fast and fuel efficient.

"A huge amount of credit to Michelin as well, the tyre was absolutely fantastic. We work very closely with them, but they turn up with something that blows your socks off every time."