Sébastien Bourdais: “It will be decided at the end of the race or on the last yellow flag”

Sébastien Bourdais set the best time in the fourth and final Free Practice session for the 24 Hours of Daytona with the No. 01 Cadillac DPi of Chip Ganassi Racing. The French driver beat his compatriot Loïc duval on another American prototype, that of JDC-Miller Motorsports. A performance confirming the Cadillacs' renewed form after the clear domination of the Acuras during the Roar tests last week.

“We made a lot of small changes compared to last week, but until then we hadn't been able to do a single lap in the dry, Sébastien confided to us Bourdais after this session. It was a bit frustrating and made you wonder if it would be possible to check the balance of the car before the start of the race. The track finally dried and we were able to try a few things. It was reassuring, the car seemed to be in the running and the times were coming quite easily, which is a good sign. Braking was good, which is important here to give confidence. Today was satisfactory, but I don't see the Acuras in the places they were this morning with what they have shown so far. »

Indeed, the Japanese cars showed impressive pace when they let the horses go. Particularly on the side of Wayne Taylor Racing, the three-time defending team whose No. 10 Acura will start in pole position for this 60th edition.

“When we were next to them, they (the Acura. Editor’s note) looked very fast in a straight line, adds Sébastien Bourdais. This is always a big problem for the 24 Hours where the one who wins often has the highest top speed. The speed advantage they had last year has disappeared a little, but that's also my main worry: if they regain the speed they showed at the start of the Roar it will be impossible to overtake them, even if we are in the game in terms of the clock. »

If rain is not forecast this weekend after complicated weather conditions in recent days, the cold should enter the equation during the night from Saturday to Sunday. “ The pit exit laps are always tricky, but this is going to be very complicated, warns the Frenchman. As always, it will be decided at the end of the race or on the last yellow flag. Before, it is only possible to lose the race. The important thing is to keep the car whole until then. »

The start of the 24 Hours of Daytona is scheduled for 19:30 p.m. French time this Saturday.