Franck Mailleux: “The human adventure takes precedence over everything else”

How are you experiencing this incredible adventure with Glickenhaus?

Always very good, especially here at Le Mans. For several years at the Nürburgring we had a lot of fun with the 003 then the 004, and since last year we entered another dimension with the Hypercar and this race of 24 Hours of Le Mans. The pleasure is only increased tenfold because the approach remains the same in the biggest race in the World. Pragmatic, passionate where pleasure and human adventure take precedence over everything else.

Franck Mailleux and Ryan Briscoe © Glickenhaus

Do you feel the surge of love that the Team Cameron Glickenhaus to the public?

We see it everywhere, from social networks to the paddock! Yesterday during the drivers' parade we could feel all the love for this exceptional character that is Jim Glickenhaus, and his car. This 007 is quite atypical, from the front to the rear diffuser, but everything works. We are a bit like Tom Thumb in the face of Toyota, which is the soul of Le Mans. It fills us with energy.

What do you expect from this race?

It can never be a wise race and we will obviously attack! Our fight will be especially againstAlpine and the sister car, because Toyota retains room for maneuver, whether in operating the car or in pit stops, with a more than experienced team. I think that above all we will have to concentrate on ourselves, do our race and see the finish with the satisfaction of having done our job well. So we will certainly not be very far from the podium and perhaps better depending on the hazards of the race...

Jim Glickenhaus, passion producer © Glickenhaus

During your first race with Glickenhaus at the Nürburgring, did you expect to be on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans a few years later?

No, it would be a lie to say that. It was still 2015 and the Hypercar regulations were only a draft. When the regulations came out, we had very long discussions and I understood that Jim wanted to see his cars at Le Mans. There was a nice line between this rule and Jim's approach, so I thought maybe this could do it. Afterwards I also had to earn my place behind the wheel! I know I'm performing well, but it's been 7 years since I last came to Le Mans and drove a prototype. Even though I know the team well, nothing was certain, but Jim sensed my motivation and decided to trust me, which really touched me. I think he's happy to have me on the team today.

BRISCOE Ryan, WESTBROOK Richard, MAILLEUX Franck, Glickenhaus Racing © Germain Hazard / DPPI

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