Simon Pagenaud at the start of the 24 2023 Hours of Le Mans

As early as last December, on the sidelines of the pre-season tests of theIMSA, simon pagenaud confided to us his desire to return to 24 Hours of Le Mans for the Centenary edition (June 10-11).

The absence of a handle IndyCar in front of the Sarthoise classic in fact offered the door to the participation of the Meyer Shank Racing driver. All that was missing was one team to welcome Poitevin, with Acura skipping this year.

It is now done since the winner of the 500 Indy 2019 and the 24 and 2022 2023 Hours of Daytona will drive with COOL Racing in the LM P2 category. The 38-year-old driver will bring all his experience to his young teammates: Reshad de Gérus (19 years old) and Vadislav Lomko (18 years old). Two drivers who will wear the colors of the Swiss team full-time in the European Le Mans Series, a championship where they will be associated with Jose Maria Lopez.

. @simonpagenaud joined #COOLRacing for # LEMANS24! The team will be able to count on the talent of the Frenchman, winner # Indy500 & Champion #IndyCar. He will ride aboard the #47 alongside Reshad De Gérus and Vladislav Lomko.
The article => https://t.co/nYcVo0kMeQ #COOLRacing pic.twitter.com/FPl81Wp17R

— COOL Racing (@COOLRacing) March 7, 2023

The Argentinian being engaged with Toyota for the Le Mans double clock tower, the team of Nicolas lapierre was looking for additional weight to support its young shoots.

« The arrival of Simon within the team is a considerable reinforcement, at all levels: technique, experience and speed., declares Anthony Megevand, sporting director of COOL Racing. We know him and want to write a beautiful story together. With Reshad and Vadislav, No. 47 has solid arguments »

The native of Montmorillon (Vienna) reconnects with his unfinished story at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an event which was refused to him during his four previous participations (2008-2011), beaten by only 13 seconds in 2011 against the Audi from Tréluyer-Lotterer-Fässler.

« Everything has finally aligned and I'm delighted., confides the Habs. This 2023 season is going to be incredible. The 24 Hours of Daytona, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans bring together the jewels of motor racing and I have the opportunity to do this in the same year, which I really like. I expect to have a great experience within a young team that is capable of fighting at the forefront in a very competitive category. »

A beautiful story for Simon Pagenaud

On this occasion, Simon Pagenaud will meet his compatriot Nicolas Lapierre. The Haut-Savoyard, co-founder of COOL Racing, will also wear the colors of his team at Le Mans, but in a second Oreca. He will be entered in LM P2 Pro-Am alongside Alexandre Coigny and Malthe Jakobsen.

« It's a great story for Nicolas and me, with whom we have rubbed shoulders since we were very young in Formula Renaul.t, reminds Simon. I have a lot of respect for him and his career. I hope to be able to bring all my experience accumulated over the years and put it to the benefit of the team and my teammates. »

For the Frenchman, it will also be an opportunity to perform in front of the French public who have not seen him in action since his last appearance at Le Mans, in 2011.

« I would like to thank the ACO which is doing a tremendous job to continue to grow the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the new regulations announce great years to come., concludes Pagenaud. I can't wait to take part in the Centenary and return to motor racing on French soil! I'm going to have a lot of emotions on the starting grid. »

Before finding it in 2024 in the Hypercar category?

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