"This is partially due to the fabulous circuits,” explains Capello with a twinkle in his eye. "In America there are still real race tracks with a natural flow and layout. The majority of the European race tracks were spoilt by chicanes. Also, it’s fascinating that four classes compete in once race in the American Le Mans Series, which means that the spectators get to see more overtaking manoeuvres in two laps than during a complete Formula 1 season.”

Dindo Capello has an enormous amount of overtaking manoeuvres to execute at the wheel of the powerful 650 hp Audi R10 TDI – both in the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, his second great passion. Every child knows this race and, for this reason, it is something very special for a race driver.”

Dindo Capello has been loyal to Audi since 1994. A change of manufacturer is completely out of the question for him. "I love the brand that has given me so much in my career,” he says. "The great victories that Audi scored in motorsport did not occur by chance. The people that work at Audi are very special. From the very beginning they gave me the feeling that I had arrived in a big family. I hope that I’ll still be driving for Audi in a few years.”

For life after racing Dindo, who used to dye his grey hair black a few years ago, has made provision and owns a share in an Audi Centre in Alessandria. "Being an Audi dealer is a great opportunity to continue working together with Audi even after my active career is over,” he explains.

Dindo loves the region of Piemont and his home in Santa Stefano Belbo more than anything else. "I was born there and know almost every one of the 5,000 inhabitants in person. I love jogging through the vineyards and enjoy taking in the beautiful landscape.”

He lives in Canelli with his wife Elisabetta and son Giacomo, who he walks to school with every day if he is not travelling. "Unfortunately, since I was hardly ever at home during the first three years Giacomo’s life I couldn’t support my wife in the same way that a man with a more normal job would have done,” says Dindo who now tries to make up for lost time by spending every free moment with the family.

In fact, the Christian name "Rinaldo” appears in the ALMS champion’s passport. However, everybody has only ever called him "Dindo” since his childhood. The reason for this was the village church bells which he liked to imitate. "So, my big brother called me ‘Ding-dong’, which later became Dindo.”

The name Dindo suits this endearing person much better, who, at 43-years of age, still numbers among the fastest in the pedal-to-the-metal industry. He exercises six times a week to keep fit – three days in the fitness studio, three days outdoors, including regular outings on a kart.