Audi’s Factory Driver Tom Kristensen Named “Sportsman of the Decade”

Getting a title like “Sportsman of the Decade” would mean a lot to anybody, no matter the sport, so Audi’s factory driver Tom Kristensen has some serious reasons to celebrate as he got the distinction not once, but two times in Denmark, his native country.

Both the “TV2” tv channel and the “Berlingske Tidende” decided to award the “Sportsman of the Decade” to the Dane who won the Le-Mans race for eight times. In his run for the title he had serious competition like tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, bicycle racer Michael Rasmussen and U.S. football star Morten Andersen.

"I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and helped me receive these two awards," said the Audi driver. "Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of being so successful some day. But back then I had the great fortune of joining Audi. It’s a big privilege to have been a member of one of the world’s best race teams for as much as a decade now."

British racing magazine “Autosport” also voted the Dane “Sports Car Driver of the Decade.” This time he was followed by Allan McNish, another Audi factory driver.

Tom Kristensen has had an impressive career in the past ten years as he won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) eight times, the 12 Hour Race at Sebring (USA) five times, the "Petit Le Mans" race at Road Atlanta (USA) and the LMP1 title in the American Le Mans Series in 2002.