David Salters: “Having the opportunity to do Le Mans would be really nice”

You are a fervent supporter of the DPi and have decided to continue the adventure in LMDh from 2023. HowIMSA Did he convince you?

IMSA offers extraordinary races with a formula (DPi. Editor's note) with a very interesting cost-benefit ratio. The LMDh is the next step. It's DPi, but at a higher level (with a common hybrid system. Editor's note). Mainly at the engineering level. Despite costs still being controlled, the engineering part is preponderant, since we can play on style, make our own aero (despite using an LM P2 chassis. Editor's note), use our own powertrain and learn many things about hybridization. Porsche is coming, Audi too, and we hope for more. It will be quite a challenge! The potential of LMDh is enormous, even more than that of DPi. With four or five manufacturers, a dozen cars, the show will be exceptional. Sincerely, congratulations to IMSA! We had no reason to leave.

Would you like to develop your own hybrid system?

Are you talking to the technical director or the president of HPD (laughs. Editor’s note)? One thinks above all of engineering, the other of business. More seriously, I think that the common hybrid system (the result of a collaboration between Bosch and Williams Advanced Engineering. Editor’s note) will be interesting. Is this a good thing? Yes, because even when you design your own system, you use subcontractors. We are working on systems ourselves with the production vehicle department, but for racing it is a good thing, otherwise the costs could quickly skyrocket. So yes, it's nice to do everything yourself, but there will be no shortage of challenges in its management – ​​namely how to take advantage of it – but also in its integration.

Can you use the same thermal engine as in IndyCar ?

It's up to you to do so or not (according to our information, the LMDh's V6 will be derived from that of the IndyCar. Editor's note). IndyCar imposes strict specifications on us, namely a twin-turbo V6 with a displacement of 2.4 liters running on biofuel: E85 (made up of 65 to 85% bioethanol – designed from plants containing sucrose – and 15 at 35% lead-free 95. Editor's note). In LMDh, everyone is free to choose the engine architecture of their choice. You must therefore find the best one, taking into account the required power level, the minimum weight… The philosophy is different.

So nothing stops you from using this V6 for the LMDh?

Once again, you are free. You need to look at which engine on your shelf is the most suitable. We have a good one (the AR35TT, a 6 liter twin-turbo V3.5. Ed.) currently (on the ARX-05. Ed.), but when you start a new project, you like to start from a blank sheet and evaluate all the possible options. This is what we are working on at the moment.

Find the entire interview in AUTOhebdo No. 2300, currently available in digital version and on newsstands.