There was one performance at the Hungaroring that went unnoticed to a large extent, and that was Vanina Ickx’s fight-back from the rear of the grid to fifth spot at the end of her stint in the Lola-Aston Martin…

Vanina Ickx

“It was the first time I had been tasked with starting the Lola-Aston Martin,” she relates. “From the back of the grid, I had a great view of the pack as the lights went out and, after that, I just seemed to keep on overtaking cars. My instructions were to avoid taking any risks, so I tried to wait for the right moment each time. And just like when you’re driving on the open road, once you’ve made up you mind to pass, you’ve just got to go all the way. The GT cars aren’t easy to overtake because they tend to lap in small groups, which makes passing all the more delicate.”

Unfortunately, the Aston Martin suffered an alternator problem after the Belgian lady’s faultless run and the car ended up in 23rd place, yet still with a footing on the LMP1 podium!

“The end result was a disappointment, but I had a great weekend in Hungary. Budapest is a fantastic city, with all its palaces and castles. And it’s true that the Hungarian girls are really pretty!”

In early July’s Classic Le Mans 24 Hours, Vanina was enrolled as an ambassador for Citroën to present its electric Survolt prototype. At Silverstone, she will be back in action in the Aston Martin.

1000 km d'Hungaroring, Vanina Ickx