Pagenaud: “IndyCar, one of my dreams”

simon pagenaud, for its third season in American Le Mans Series, asserts itself as one of the sure values ​​of the US set. Second in the championship in 2009 with the Ferran Motorsports team, this season the Poitevin joined the reigning champions, the Highcroft team. Partnered with David Brabham, he won three of the first four races of the season, the 12 Hours of Sebring having been dominated by Peugeot , his other “employer”. Simon Pagenaud thus looks back on his last victory, in Salt Lake City, which was far from acquired.

« It was a great weekend for the Highcroft team, who did an incredible job, he explains to RMC. We installed an aero kit which allowed us to go faster in a straight line, because we have a big speed deficit in a straight line compared to the old LMP1s. The regulation created an equivalence which is not really equivalent. We found ourselves with a poorly balanced car during the first practice session and it was difficult to see ourselves making a podium. Then, in just two hours of testing, the engineers were able to turn the situation around and give us a super car. During the race, we made exceptional refuelings. It was an excellent race and we managed to grab a third car in a row. »

Even if the field of prototypes is reduced in ALMS, Simon Pagenaud is proud to ride in this series. “ I don?t know how it?s perceived from Europe but it?s a great championship. It's a very close championship, with some great battles in the race. The equivalences are what they are. Are there constant overtakes, changes of leader? »

But the Frenchman still dreams of car. If he feels very good in Endurance, in ALMS and at Highcroft, a return to his first love would not displease him. “ I can't hide it,IndyCar has always been a dream of mine and would have been a logical continuation after the Champ Car. It’s something that has always interested me and I know a lot of people there. This is a category that I particularly appreciate. I'm a guy who keeps doors very open. If there are opportunities at the end of the year, why not. But I must say that luck smiles on me in Endurance. I like the category because, even with a slower car, like in Salt Lake City, you can win races by fighting. »

Simon Pagenaud has an appointment with the ALMS this weekend, for the Lime Rock race, an important stage of the championship for him and his team. “ The upcoming Lime Rock race is very important because it takes place on the circuit that serves as our base. It?s near New York but we have a lot of “press”, I have to go to Boston for my sponsor. We're going to be pretty busy all week! »