Patterson escapes session-stopping Le Mans accident

Murphy Prototypes driver Mark Patterson has told Motorsport.com in detail about his session stopping accident at Le Mans this evening.

The US domiciled South African lost control of the Oreca-Nissan on the exit of the first quick right hander of the infamous Porsche Curves in the penultimate hour of the Free Practice session. Patterson emerged unscathed from the substantial impact with the Armco which had to be replaced.

From the driver's perspective

“I was going in 13kph quicker than Karun (Chandhok) had done and it was just too far in and too quick, I pushed the limit too much and it washed out,” said the 63 year-old. “I saw it all coming and I came off the gas and then tried to bring it back on the brakes but it pulled me across and I hit on the right side of the track.”

“It was a big hit with the front first and fortunately it was not at ninety degrees but more seventy,” he continued. “It cleaned off one corner and then it hit two more (corners of the car). It bent the Armco back a lot. It was a big one.”

The Murphy Oreca 03 monocoque has been signed off by the ACO to take part in the qualifying session later this evening should the team complete the build-up of the damaged corners.

“Nathanael (Berhon) has had the least laps of us so it is important for him to get out. I am confident in the team, they are great guys so we’ll be back stronger,” concluded Patterson.

Patterson was checked out by the Murphy team doctor and did not require a medical centre examination after the accident.

The team is hopeful of getting out for the final hour of the qualifying session this evening.