Roman Rusinov : The first Russian winner in FIA-WEC, in his own words..
The ORECA 03 No.26 of the G-Drive Racing by Delta-ADR team won its first victory at the 6 hours of Sao Paulo, the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The sister car, ran by Delta-ADR, already won at Silverstone, but was running under a British banner. This time, it’s a Russian success, and especially as Roman Rusinov was driving. He looks back on his first victory.
With his co-drivers Mike Conway and John Martin, Roman Rusinov had a perfect race. The cautions during the first part of the race didn’t change anything: G-Drive Racing by Delta-ADR managed perfectly this situation and no sand’s grain came disturb the perfect mechanic. “At the beginning of the year, I wanted to have a perfect team on the paper. A team to play the win with” recalls Roman Rusinov. “I sincerely think that is what has been set up. Unfortunately, there were several incidents, different according to the races, with accidents or this problem of the numbers plates at Le Mans. We deserve this victory. Since the start of the season, we have been very competitive. We fought, facing a lot of competition and in a great competition which is the LMP2 category.”
After the race, Simon Dowson, the team manager of G-Drive Racing by Delta-ADR entrusted his happiness to be on the first step of the podium with the No.26. For Roman Rusinov, it was also a big satisfaction. “Yes it’s an important victory” he confirms. “G-Drive Racing is the first team to run with the Russian flag in FIA World Endurance Championship. I’m also the first Russian pilot to win in this championship. The team and I, have done lot of things to accomplish this so it’s a success that counts.”
There are now 4 rounds to play: Austin, Fuji, Shangai and Bahreïn. An end of the season which will be conditioned on the 10th September by the appeal for the team disqualification at the 24 hours of Le Mans. “I hope we are going to win” says Roman Rusinov. “I think we are in our rights, otherwise we wouldn’t do it, and I know the team is very professional. Anyway, we got the pole position, made the best lap time in the race and won in Brazil. That’s not so bad, and we will try to do the same things for the races to come. I wouldn’t be against! But I know it’s going to be hard. The level is high so that we can, on a detail, win or lose many places. We are fast but some competitors are very strong and we see that at each race that different cars play for the win.”
The Russian drivers will be able to count on his compatriots’ support. “People follow us a lot and this engagement means a lot for Russia” concluded Roman Rusinov.