Marcel Fässler: Vacation instead of driving

First, a flashback to Le Mans. With Corvette, the most important endurance race doesn't seem to bring him nearly as much luck as it did in Audi days. The collision with an overmatched Porsche driver from Japan, which brutally knocked the man from Schwyz out of the race early on, was one thing. The penalty subsequently imposed on him was something else. The French, including the decisive stewards, seemed to have forgotten who they were pillorying-a three-time overall Le Mans winner who knows how to take risks in order to bring his racing machine safely to the finish line.

Judgment without hearing
The race jury saw the Swiss as the culprit and imposed a fine of 7,000 euros plus six license penalty points on him just 16 minutes after the accident, without having heard his version of the accident. The general outrage in racing circles and the corresponding expressions of sympathy did his soul good, even though the verdict was apparently irreversible.

Marcel Fässler: "It's nice that everyone agrees with me. The reactions also show that something is happening among the drivers."

Ridiculous
And how does he see the accident happening?

Marcel Fässler: "For me, it wasn't a risky maneuver. The gap between the GT cars didn't seem tight. I was already aiming for the next corner when I was hit in the back and turned right into the wall. There have been quite a few accidents in recent years involving inexperienced drivers who gave the wrong signals when you wanted to overtake them. The verdict is ridiculous, a doctrinaire rebuke."

No other choice
Why professionals like him are always exposed to such dangers is something he can explain well.

Marcel Fässler: "To keep up the pace of the front runners, we sometimes have to make split-second decisions in overtaking maneuvers. Anyone who doesn't keep up with that is too slow. That's why you should also allow a mistake now and then, because at the end of the day we're racing drivers and don't just shoot others down."

For the most successful Swiss racing driver of the past two decades, the issue is over, as it is for Corvette Racing. Even though the fine hurts him. Because there are many things he could do with this sum, especially in his free time. For example, during the summer vacation planned for July, which he will spend with his wife and four daughters for the first time in a long while.

His women go first
While these weeks were blocked in previous years by preparations for the 24 Hours of Spa, the 43-year-old from Schwyz is foregoing participation this year. Not entirely voluntarily, however, as he admits.

Marcel Fässler: "Nothing had come up, not even from Audi. That's why I had to make a decision. In retrospect, interesting offers came my way, but I'm still looking forward to the vacations. Because my family had to take a back seat for years."

Back to North America...
He will also be traveling to North America for the next few races. For the coming weekend, the Swiss has been called up at short notice by Corvette Racing for the IMSA sports car race in Mosport. In Canada, where Fässler has never raced before, he replaces Tommy Milner, who injured his hand in a starting accident at Watkins Glen last weekend.

In October, Fässler will once again compete with the Americans at the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. He last stood on a major podium there a year ago.

... and then to the mountain race Arosa
So he has plenty of work. As a driver coach, instructor, with test drives for Audi and Corvette and presentations, Marcel Fässler is well booked in addition to racing. And, to the delight of many Swiss fans, he will be back as a racing taxi driver in late summer at the Arosa ClassicCar hillclimb race.

There, every passenger can see for themselves how fast and safe Marcel Fässler is on the road.

mfspeed.ch