One of Denmark's best ever motor-racing drivers, Tom Kristensen, announced at a press conference in Copenhagen today that he intends to retire at the end of the month.
The legendary Audi driver, now 47, revealed that he felt the time was right to quit driving and that the six-hour race in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 30 would be the last time he revs up the engine as a professional driver.
”I've been told that you can feel when the time has come to retire,” Kristensen said at the press conference. ”I haven’t felt that way until now, but the feeling has become stronger in recent months – so strong that I feel ready to end my career in motorsport.”
READ MORE: Day after fatal crash, Kristensen wins ninth Le Mans, dedicates victory to deceased Dane
Le Mans legend
Hobro-born Kristensen – who has won the famous 24-hour race Le Mans a record nine times – began his career driving go-karts in the 1980s. After a number of Formula 3 wins, he kicked off his Le Mans career by winning in 1997.
He then proceeded to dominate the race, winning six in a row from 2000-2005 with his final Le Mans win coming last year, just hours after his friend and racing colleague Allan Simonsen died after crashing during the third hour of the same race.
Kristensen said that he would stay in racing working for Audi as an ambassador.
