Interview with Frédéric Sausset

A month ago, you had just finished Test Day. How did you arrive at this first meeting on the 24 Hours circuit?

It was aptly named for me, this Test Day, as well as for the team around me. I had colossal pressure. I knew that I was expected to turn the corner, that there were many detractors and that I was entitled to zero mistakes. But I really wanted to ride on this big circuit.

As long as I didn't get behind the wheel, it didn't work. I know from experience that the longer I wait, the more the stress builds and it is complicated to manage. Christophe (Tinseau. Editor’s note), as usual, did three or four laps to check if everything was working and I left. The good surprise was that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

In the end, I completed 18 laps, even though I was only at 80% of my potential. Many people thought that driving with my disability was impossible. Some, including officials, even told me on the morning of this Test Day: “You’ll realize: it’s not possible. »

Were you satisfied with your performance?

Overall, yes. I just didn't get within 110% of the best time for a second. Our team manager (Sébastien Metz from Onroak Automotive. Ed.) was, however, delighted. He thought I would start in 4'30" and certainly didn't imagine me going below 4'10", as was the case (Frédéric Sausset clocked 4'04" that day. Editor's note) . Which did not prevent, on Sunday evening, certain officials from finding that it was too fair.

But if we think about it, with the 80 kg of additional mass in the car (or almost 10% of the total weight of an LM P2. Editor's note), including 20 in equipment specific to my handicap, this can amount to three seconds around. At first we didn't think of telling the officials.

However, with the three seconds less, I was well within 110%. It was not eliminatory, but there remained a doubt. And I was made to understand that the qualifying practice sessions would really be… But I also told myself that given the media enthusiasm which was already strong, they would be rather annoyed if my car was not not at the start of the 24 Hours. Furthermore, I was far from having the last time, and especially far from having set the LM P2 time.

Discover the rest of our interview with Frédéric Sausset, in issue 2072 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands.