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| October 2007
Interview with Bernhard & Dumas |
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“We complement each other perfectly” With the fifth class victory in a row, Porsche's works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) won the LMP2 class title of the American Le Mans Series before the end of the season. With the Weissach-developed and built Porsche RS Spyder the pair not only dominated their class rivals at six of the eleven races so far this season, but also outpaced the LMP1 cars which generate up to 200 hp more and feature a much better power-to-weight ratio. In a joint interview Bernhard and Dumas give an interim balance of their championship year. In long-distance racing you win titles jointly, unlike in most other motorsport categories. Is the enjoyment of the ALMS title then half or double? Timo Bernhard: “It's very clearly double the pleasure. You win together and you lose together. And most of all, you celebrate together. That's exactly what we will do after the season final at Laguna Seca, won't we Romain?” Romain Dumas: “Yeah, at Road Atlanta all the bars around the track had already closed at one o'clock Saturday morning...” Timo Bernhard: “Of course we both always try to be a little faster than the other – but that makes us even quicker.” Romain Dumas: “In the three years that Timo and I have raced together we have experienced many wonderful successes, but we have never won a title. That's why it means even more to me that I'm champion with Timo and not some other driver.”  Where would you rank the importance of the ALMS title compared to victories in other international championships? Dumas: “In prototype racing there are two championships. The Le Mans Series in Europe and the ALMS in the USA. The competition for overall victory in the USA was without doubt much more illustrious.” Bernhard: “And after Formula 1, sports prototypes are the next best class of race cars in which you can measure yourself against other professional drivers. In this respect, this title plus overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours were the most important for me by now.” What was the most wonderful moment for you in the 2007 season?  Dumas: “Oh, there were so
many...“ Bernhard: “It's hard to choose just one. Certainly the presentation ceremony at Petit Le Mans was a very special moment. To hold the winners trophy in your hands and to know that you have just won the title is unrivalled. But then again crossing the finish line in Houston and Elkhart Lake after an incredibly close race were also absolute highlights for me in 2007. Dumas: “Of course the Detroit victory was a great moment because the overtaking manoeuvre against the leading Audi worked perfectly.” And were there frustrating moments?  Dumas: “This season? No! Even
the technical problems in Sebring weren't really frustrating, because
in the end we still brought home a podium result and earned points
towards the championship.”It is said that you two are similar in the race car and off the track. Is this true? Dumas: “We are both the same height, we fit in the same bucket seat, we have the same driving style and after the race we say, independently, the same things about the handling of the car. I'm possibly a little bit more aggressive, but then Timo drives somewhat smoother and conserves the tyres better. We complement each other perfectly.” In your view, what are Romain's strengths? Bernhard: “Strengths? Hmm...“ (laughs) Dumas: “I'm just a nice guy.“ Bernhard: “He's certainly a team player. We openly share all information. And he is a pure racer. He's not here to put on a show, he just wants to be the fastest.” Dumas: “Just like you...” If Timo were an animal what would he be? Bernhard: “Don't say I would be a frog!“ Dumas: “He would be a cat.” Bernhard: “What? Why a cat?” Dumas: “Because a cat first thinks before it does something, it looks at the situation and then hits like lightning.” Do you get nervous when you get into a risky situation or stand in the pits and observe your team mate on the TV screen?  Dumas: “I don't dare watch
when
Timo drives. And I also don't put on the headset. It's not because I
don't trust him, it's simply because it would make me too nervous.”Bernhard: “It doesn't worry me in the slightest when he drives. In the meantime I know very well what he's doing out there on the track.” On race weekends you always share a rental car. How does your team mate drive in normal traffic? Dumas: “Whenever he drives I wish the passenger seat had a HANS system so my head isn't shaken from side to side. Bernhard: “Don't believe a word of it!“ Dumas: “Okay seriously, without exception Timo sticks to all speed limits, much more than I do. In this respect he is a proper German.” What are your mutual goals for the future? Dumas: “It's almost impossible to win more races in one season.” Bernhard: “But we want to win the Sebring 12 hour race together...” Dumas: “Yes, by all means!” What makes Porsche so special for you? Bernhard: “As a German driver, I find Porsche a very special make. For me Porsche means motorsport. I practically grew up with the successes of this make in international motorsport. And that's why it's an honour for me to have represented the company as works driver for nine years. Dumas: “More than twenty years ago my father contested a rally with a Porsche. And for most kids your Dad is always the greatest. So as a child I always wanted to drive a Porsche. And now I've done it. When people ask me what I do for a living and I tell them I race Porsches, most of them are rather impressed. I admit that makes me quite proud.”  It there anything you've always wanted to ask your team mate? Dumas: “Do you actually like me?” (laughs) Bernhard: “Of course I do – I wouldn't have become champion without you.” (laughs) “Actually I have always wanted to know why you shake your head while you drive?” Dumas: ”No idea.” Bernhard: “No really – the nearer you come to a braking point, the more your head wobbles to and fro.” Dumas: ”I have always done it – but not intentionally.” Bernhard: “Several people have asked me about it and wanted to know why you do it and I don't.“ Dumas: “I don't notice it at all. But at least it doesn't make me slow.” 
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 Home News Porsche Art Links Contact us Forum Merchandise Monthly Feature Race Cars For Sale Resumé Timo Bernhard (D) Date of birth: 24 February 1981 Place of birth: Homburg (Saar, D) Place of residence: Dittweiler (D) Marital status: single Hobbies: Fitness training, jogging, music Internet: www.timo-bernhard.de  Sporting career 2007 Porsche works driver ALMS to date 6 overall victories from 11 races Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 1st 2006 Porsche works driver ALMS, LM P2, driver classification: 3rd (4 wins) Spa 24 hours, G2: 2nd Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 1st 2005 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT2, driver classification: 2nd (5 wins) Le Mans 24 hours, GT2: 2nd 2004 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT, driver classification: Champion Sebring 12 Hours, GT: 1st ; ALMS/Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta, GT: 1st Spa 24 Hours, overall classification: 4th; N-GT: 2nd Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 3rd 2003 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT, driver classification: 2nd Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta, GT: 1st Daytona 24 hours, overall classification: 1st Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 3rd 2002 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT, driver classification: 4th Porsche Michelin Supercup, driver classification: 3rd Daytona 24 hours, GT: 1st Le Mans 24 hours, GT: 1st Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 2nd 2001 UPS Porsche Junior Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, driver classification: champion Porsche Pirelli Supercup: 4 races, 1 win Sebring 12 hours, GT: 2nd 2000 UPS Porsche Junior Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, driver classification: 3rd 1999 UPS Porsche junior driver selection trials: winner Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, driver classification: 12th German Formula Ford Championship, overall classification: 3rd 1998 German Formula Ford Championship, driver classification: 6th (2 wins) Formula Ford European Cup, driver classification: 6th 1997 German Kart Championship, overall classification: 3rd 1996 German Kart Championship, overall classification: 6th 1995 German ONS Juniors Kart Championship: Champion DMV Juniors Kart Cup: 1st place, Cup winner CIK/FIA Juniors Kart World Championship, overall classification: 5th 1994 National DMV A-Juniors Kart Championship: Champion 1993 ADAC Baden A-Juniors Kart Trophy, overall classification: 1st 1991-92 ADAC Youth Kart Championships 1991 ADAC Pfalz Youth Kart Slalom Championship: Champion Resumé Romain Dumas (F) Date of birth: 14 December 1977 Place of birth: Alés (F) Place of residence: Basel (CH) Marital status: single Hobbies: Jet-ski, jogging, squash Internet: www.romaindumas.com  Sporting career 2007 Porsche works driver ALMS to date 6 overall victories from 11 races Nürburgring 24 hours, overall classification: 1st 2006 Porsche works driver ALMS, LMP2, driver classification: 3rd (4 wins) 2005 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT2, driver classification: 2nd Le Mans 24 hours, GT2: 4th 2004 Porsche works driver ALMS, GT, driver classification: 4th Sebring 12 hours, GT: 2nd Le Mans 24 hours, GT: 3rd Spa 24 hours, overall: 3rd; N-GT: 1st 2003 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland: 3rd Spa 24 hours, N-GT: 1st Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta, GT: 1st 2002 Formula 3000 European Championship: vice-champion Formula 1: Tests with Renault Suzuka 1000 km, GT: 1st Spa 24 hours, overall classification: 3rd; N-GT: 1st Le Mans 24 hours, GT: 2nd Daytona 24 hours, GT: 3rd 2001 Formula 3000 European Championship: 5th European Le Mans Series, Estoril: 1st European Le Mans Series, Vallelunga, 2nd Le Mans 24 hours, GT: 2nd 2000 French Formula 3 Championship: 6th 1999 International Formula 3000 Championship Formula Palmer Audi Series: 5th 1997 French Formula Renault Championship: 3rd 1995 French Formula Renault Campus Cup: 4th 1994 Volant Elf A.C.O. in Le Mans: champion Kart 1992-94 Kart: 11 wins  |
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