The 8 Hours of Bahrain will mark the end of the LMP1 era. How will you remember these cars?

I will dearly remember those cars as truly remarkable technological monsters, pushing limits, creating real-life technologies and at the same time going faster and faster with ever increasing efficiency. Their iconic and authentic look just symbolises what I understand as ‘cool’.

You won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 with the Peugeot 908, a diesel-powered LMP1. How did this car differ from what you’d experienced before?

It was odd to start off: the low revs, low sound, but it just had so much torque to deliver. At times it was a bit raw to drive but in fact it was a very well-balanced car and suited my driving style so perfectly. I really enjoyed it.

The LMP1 era was a rich one for new technology. Which innovation stands out for you and why?

Well, first was the diesel era where Audi and Peugeot made such impressive steps in the power output of those diesel engines. We had 20 to 40 bhp improvements for every upgrade, not just in power but also torque. And then came the hybrid era, which I knew would raise the bar once again. We went over 1000 bhp and had four-wheel drive. The technology and innovation we had to come up with to make those machines user-friendly was impressive. I loved this period because as a driver we had to guide the team into important decisions and direction which is something I really enjoyed. Between those two quantum steps in technology we ended up with faster lap times around Le Mans, with 50% less fuel and 50% less tyres used... and THAT is what I call progress...

You also raced in the Toyota TS030 and TS040. How technologically advanced were these cars?

For sure, the most advanced I ever raced. I had some pretty funky times in F1, in the years of endless testing. But those LMP1 hybrid days are just amazing what unfolded. It became very complex because sometimes very small errors in the electronic set up of the car would make you lose a lot of performance. We learned so much in those years, really amazing times and technologies.

Before the 24 Hours in September, you completed a lap of the Le Mans track in the road version of the Toyota Hypercar. What was it like?

First, sorry Toyota, but it is always amazing to drive the Le Mans track, and I had it to myself. A view only the race leader has at the beginning of the race. The prototype car feels super well-balanced from the mechanical set up which is something we take forward to the racing car version. The looks and shape of the race car will differ substantially, so you need to wait until it will be shown in January 2021.
 

PHOTO: Alexander Wurz getting out of the Toyota TS040 Hybrid at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.