Kamui Kobayashi: “We know what we have to do”

Kamui Kobayashi set the best time in the second Free Practice session for the 24 Hours of Daytona. A 60th edition which should be contested in milder weather conditions than the incessant rain this Thursday.

“The conditions were really wet. Honestly, I thought it was a bit pointless to ride, since it looks like the weather is going to be dry for this weekend, declared the Japanese driver after the session. I ran this time on my second lap. We tried some different settings from last week and it was really good. I was really happy with this ride. »

This is the first time since the start of the two weeks in Florida that a Cadillac has occupied the front row of a test session. The Roar's four had been dominated by Acura and the first of the 24 Hours saw Pato O'Ward surprise the DPi with the DragonSpeed ​​LM P2. The American manufacturer nevertheless seemed to have already found the beginnings of a solution with second place overall for the No. 02 Chip Ganassi.

“The team really did a great job work these last few days, adds Kamui Kobayashi. Tomorrow's conditions (Friday) still seem unstable, it's not so bad after all to have done some laps today. »

The World ChampionEndurance with Toyota a également évoqué sa relation avec ses coéquipiers Jimmie Johnson et Mike Rockenfeller, avec qui il était déjà associé l’an dernier dans la Cadillac DPi n°48. “It’s very different. Jimmy (Johnson),Rocky (Mike Rockenfeller) and I were already together last year, so we know what we have to do. We discuss more about the details we need to resolve to achieve victory. Our ambitions are higher than last year. » 

Second last year behind Wayne Taylor Racing, the trio, associated with Jose Maria Lopez, aims only for success on the occasion of this 60th edition.