Sheena Monk: “My goal is to go to Le Mans”

Sheena Monk, what are your feelings here at Daytona?

I've already done a few races here so I know the circuit well, but, you know, it's my first in the GTD category, so I'm just trying to learn, especially regarding traffic management, especially since This will be my first race in the top championship of theIMSA.

Do you consider this an important step in your career?

It's absolutely one, but I feel well prepared after three years of learning in the Michelin Pilot Challenge (one victory, four podiums. Editor's note). The car (an Acura NSX GT3 from the Gradien Racing team) is much more efficient than the GT4 machines, but the challenge is much greater with a much tougher field and traffic management with five categories. So you have to be much more vigilant as a driver.

Sheena Monk drove a Ford Mustang GT4 in the Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2022 (Photo: © 2022 Michael L. Levitt)

You seem to have a good relationship with your teammate Katherine Legge…

We have known each other for a few years. She was my coach and was present for my very first race (at Imola in Super Trofeo Lamborghini during the 2017 season. Editor's note), so she has seen me from my first moments on a circuit to now. There's a certain level of comfort between the two of us, and it's good to be together again. I have big ambitions for both of us. I don't really know what to predict for this year, I like to stay realistic, but I would say that we are contenders for several podiums this season. I think it's reasonable.

What is the most difficult thing to assimilate about this car?

Having to bring him to the rope a little harder than I'm used to. This car likes it when you keep the nose down to avoid a bit of understeer. I'm also not used to having that much downforce, so I have to trust the car's aerodynamics a little more.

Sheena Monk discovers the GT3 at Daytona (Photo: Gradient Racing)

What are your ambitions for the rest of your career? Go to prototype?

No, no prototype, unless an opportunity presents itself, but I'm really focused on touring cars. My goal is to be among the best in IMSA and to go to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Why not in prototype?

I think I have more opportunities to build a relationship with a manufacturer and stay there. The GT3 is a global platform so I can go anywhere in the world. Of course, it would be great to compete in LM P2 or LM P3, but I started my career late (Sheena Monk is 33 years old and started her career in 2017. Editor's note) and I prefer to remain realistic about my situation and the possibilities available to me. For years I've said I want to race in an LM P3, but I don't really know how far I'll go. I'm focusing on the GT.

What is your objective for this first weekend at this level?

Get the watch! That's the goal when you have a good team of drivers and your car looks competitive. It's hard to say what our pace is compared to the others over a long stint, but we can be in contention if we stay clean.

The Mercedes still seem above the rest...

Yes, the Mercedes are strong, but anything can happen here. We saw him during Free Practice 1 and I hope the Winward Racing driver is doing well (Lucas Auer withdraws from the 24 Hours of Daytona). It's a long race and just because you have a good pace doesn't mean you're necessarily there to fight for the win at the end. A lot of it is about being smart.

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