Simon Pagenaud returns to Le Mans: rillettes, rings and transmission of knowledge

simon pagenaud is back to 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since the legendary 2011 edition, where Poitevin battled against Audi until the end of an unforgettable duel (2nd at 13''). The champion ofIndyCar 2016 is associated with Reshad de Gerus and Vladislav Lomko within COOL Racing, a trio who will start the Centenary edition from 4th place in LM P2.

We spoke with the 500 Indy 2019 winner and the double defending champion of the 24 and 2022 2023 Hours of Daytona about his return to France and his start to the week full of lessons.

Compared to the Indianapolis 500, how can you compare the atmosphere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
It's quite similar. Here, we speak more French! What amuses me a lot is that people talk to me a lot about the 500 Miles. I can't believe the impact (of his victory in 2019. Editor's note) and that it still has. It’s really incredible, the public has a memory! When spectators see the ring (given to the winner of the Indy 500, editor's note), they take a photo of it. It's funny, it makes me happy. It's a big responsibility, though.

Got to get some seat time in today and I am one happy man! #Le Mans

I was able to spend some time behind the wheel and I'm a happy man! @COOLRacing pic.twitter.com/GeRXyn2oGg

— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 7, 2023

Is it something different than when you returned in the summer of 2019 to celebrate your victory?
Yes. In 2019, we explained what had just happened in the United States. I think we were educating the public about the Indianapolis 500. Today, these same people are aware of the Indy 500, they know what is happening there and they are proud that a Frenchman was able to win this event. It's great to see the result of all our communication work.

Let's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Oreca 07 that you are driving, is it a very different car from the Acura GTP in IMSA on which you won the 24 Hours of Daytona last winter?
Using the car or the controls on the steering wheel isn't complicated. The functions are similar to the Acura, yes, even if the number of buttons is smaller on an LM P2. The biggest difficulty before coming to Le Mans was understanding the ACO regulations, which differ from the IMSA in terms of slow zones in particular. How do full course yellows, safety cars, etc. work? IN addition, procedures are evolving for these 24 Hours of Le Mans! I made a lot of adjustments on that front.

Are you ready before departure?
The Race Direction is doing a very good job. She put us in neutralization situations during free practice. For example, slow zones were activated on Wednesday and Thursday, when there was no need for them. This allowed me to understand this system well. Thursday evening, I had a click. On paper it doesn't seem that complicated, but in practice it's a different story. The circuit is long, there are lots of things happening behind the wheel…

Pilots Parade! Driver parade! pic.twitter.com/d0FCcHiPkd

— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 9, 2023

After 12 years of absence, do automatisms return easily?
No, there is no automation at Le Mans. I adapt a lot. The only automation I can have is regarding driver changes in the pits. It works because I'm used to doing it in IMSA. The functions of the car are also routine. I have to adapt to the track. Every time I drive at Le Mans, I learn something. It's a car equipped with Goodyear tires, a brand that I'm discovering. I'm learning how they work.

Is it very different from the gums you use in the United States?
It comes down to subtleties. I'm taking a little time to understand how to extract the full potential of the car, how to use the tires optimally. It takes time to get to an optimal level. It's not at all the same driving as a car byIndyCar. The engine power is less, I attack the turns differently. The driving rhythm is not at all identical. The steering is very light, whereas it is not assisted in IndyCar. This week I have zero routine. I do not get bored !

Are you still able to have fun?
Thursday evening, yes, because the car performed well. Wednesday, I jumped into the deep end. I arrived at Le Mans on Monday evening after my IndyCar race on Sunday. Wednesday was my first attempt. I had to make sure my new seat was satisfactory, rediscover the track, understand the car, just in free practice. The radio was malfunctioning because it did not cover the entire track and we had a small problem with the harnesses. All this, as well as the slow zones to learn, made for a huge amount of things to learn. Fortunately, during a night's sleep, your brain stores a lot of information. Thursday was better. At night, I started to let go and “create” good times. I know it will get better and better as the weekend goes on, I'm quite calm.

Proud of my team and Reshad De Gerus for locking in the 4th fastest time in hyperpole in our LMP2 class to start on the 2nd row. A lot of great competition but we have a strong team! # LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/7tT8VEXJ28

— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 8, 2023

Rain is forecast for the start. Is this a disruptive element?
In a sense, that's good because riding in the rain is one of my qualities. On the other hand, I never evolved with these rain tires. I'll have to adapt. Everyone will be in the same boat, I will make sure to have fewer difficulties than the others.

ALSO READ > What is the weather forecast for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

Will you start?
No, it will be Reshad (from Gerus). He had a great Hyperpole (4th) and he deserves to start. I will go third, after Vladislav.

You are 39 years old. With such an age difference compared to Vladislav (19) and Reshad (19), do you feel like a big brother to your teammates?
I'm super proud of our relationship with Vlad and Reshad. Most of the time, journalists tend to “prick” pilots by telling them “you could be their father!” ". Now, I don't see it that way at all. I am lucky to have a great career, now I can pass on my knowledge to young people who are just starting out and who are successful, as I was when I started. It's a transmission of knowledge, because they can learn from everything I've already experienced in car racing. This weekend, I am working in a very pleasant and professional framework, COOL Racing. I feel young but with a lot of experience to spare. I feel like an experienced rookie, it's a lot of fun. Like a new career start! I'm coming back to Le Mans, where I won the Volant ELF (in 2000). That’s how I started motor racing. I'm proud of all that.

Is it easy to compartmentalize your mind between racing IndyCar and Le Mans? Last Sunday you were in Detroit, and next Sunday you will go to Road America!
I put my phone down as far as possible. I just look at my schedule on my phone. The schedule is precise to the minute. Until Friday evening, I hadn't had 15 minutes to myself to rest and take a nap since arriving at Le Mans. The tests require you to go to bed late, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., to wake up at 9 a.m. For me who needs a lot of sleep, this is not ideal. Besides, I sleep in COOL Racing hospitality, in the heart of the paddock. I don't have a motor home outside; I have a bed and a bathroom in hospitality, that's what I need. I don't waste my time traveling.

Finally, did you still have time to reconnect with French gastronomy?
It's the first thing I did when I arrived in France: stopped at a supermarket, bought sausage, good bread and rillettes! I can't consume it in the United States because it's very expensive to import...