The 1995 line up at Le Mans in 01R was arrived at within Mclaren. It was in the contract between the 3 owners and Mclaren that they could not run a works car. This was deemed not to be and caused a row between myself & Ron. Ueno clinic wanted to sponsor a car with Sekiya in it. Mclaren took the money and entered 01R under the banner and direction of Paul Lanzante - one of my best friends to this day. I believe Lehto and Dalmas were chosen by Jeff Hazel. at the race there were Mclaren personnel all over the 01R pit, but to be fait it was told to stay behind customer cars until they hit trouble. Was it a works car. yes - because the trophy is at Mclaren, the drivers were paid by Mclaren, and the car is still owned by Mclaren, but you know what it's good for the history of the car. I know JJ's manager of that time - Didier Coton who looks after Mika Hakkinen. during the winter break I agreed with Didier a deal to have him in the car in 1996 wherever we needed a third driver. We had telemetry. at Le Mans I could see and still have the overlays to see where he gains time. He was mega into corners under breaking, sometimes taking two tenths out of James Weaver and myself. At the chicanes down the Mulsanne he braked 50 metres after us and I tried it and went straight on. His control in the wet amplifies his ability under barking. By the way, James was the best co driver I ever had in my days of endurance racing. A real gentleman and we were very well matched in lap times.
I still have the records of our cars in the Gulf Team of every lap of every test and race day from the start to the end of 1997!!