Le Mans – 24 words for 24 Hours!

preliminaries
Getting started, getting your bearings? our preparation went well this year. We are where we thought we would be, and still have room for improvement. At the end of the official Test Day, we were smiling.

Weighing
First meeting with the fans. Always a fun time. We really find ourselves in the atmosphere of Le Mans. Even though there were preliminary tests before, the weigh-in really marks the start of the week.

Audi
It is my family ! Reliability, performance, know-how, etc. Beating Audi remains the big challenge for the competition. It is a pressure but above all a pride to defend the colors of such a firm.

Qualifications
It?s always nice to take pole, but it has little influence on the race. Good years are the icing on the cake.

Happy fans
For me, there are three big families of supporters: the admirers from Japan, the fans from the United States, and those from Le Mans who are really apart. Even more so for me since I was born in Alençon, a town located just a few dozen kilometers from Le Mans.

Teammates
Buddies ! I don't see myself sharing a car with drivers other than Marcel (Fässler) and André (Lotterer).

Parade
A great time! You travel in old cars right in the city center, and very close to the public. It is now part of the Le Mans legend. Even when it rains, we run there.

Concentration
You are focused from the first attempts. After Sunday, I returned home for three days but, already, I was in my bubble. I don?t know why, but this year I have the impression that it has increased tenfold.

The start
I feel the emotion more when putting it on the grid! I have already started the 24 Hours, but it is not my best moment. I like the starts but, at Le Mans, I prefer to watch it. Somewhere, I had to keep my fan soul.

Hunaudieres
I still remember the first time I put it together! It is a different straight line which forces humility because of the speeds reached and because anything can happen there.

Baffles
The circuit has many: those of Hunaudières, the Dunlop chicane, the Ford chicane, etc. If you are not good at this kind of sequences, it is better not to come to Le Mans!

GT
It’s sharing! For me, they are part of Le Mans. They are sometimes singled out but, without them, Le Mans would no longer be Le Mans.

Night
Magic ! You find yourself in your world, in your bubble. You feel very alone, and at the same time very peaceful. You've just had a week where you've been solicited from all sides, and here you are alone. We are in a very selfish, but very pure pleasure.

Meals
When we have time! More seriously, it is necessary to eat well, but we are not into gourmet cooking. As you may be asked to get back in the car at any time, it's best to avoid cassoulet!

BETTER SLEEP
Difficult to find it, whether it goes well or badly. However, I am lucky to be able to count on two great teammates and a team in whom I completely trust. That helps.

Neutralizations
A waste! You go to Le Mans once a year and you find yourself forced to champ at the bit behind the Safety Car. The worst is when the intervention is caused by a very serious incident?

Refueling
Crucial. The few seconds lost in the pits can influence the race, especially at Le Mans where interventions can take more time.

Lights
Those from the funfair! At night, you feel like a pinball when you enter the Bugatti at the Dunlop chicane. This is the image I have in mind.

Morning
It can be difficult because of the exhaustion you get. On the other hand, once in the car, after a few laps, it's fun. The entire plateau has found its bearings, traffic is more fluid. Everything is going better.

Rain
Feared! You don't find it everywhere at once. It often happens that it only falls in certain places on the circuit, which can really surprise you. Rarely in a good way.

Strategy
It is very important to choose the right one? knowing that it must be adapted every two hours. This is a lot of work. In fact, you have to plan for the unexpected.

Mechanics
Respect ! We pilots are just finishing our jobs. There must be absolute trust between the two parties. Within our team, it is.

Clock
It’s the only one I watch on a circuit! When I go up the pit straight, I sometimes glance in his direction to do my little calculations too.

Podium
The most beautiful view in the world!