Le Mans – José María López better realizes “the importance of this race”

Recrue phare de l’intersaison pour Toyota, Jose Maria Lopez had been confirmed to race on the #050 Toyota TS7 Hybrid alongside Mike conway et Kamui Kobayashi en WEC This year. But, having gone off the track at Silverstone and injured his back, the three-time reigning WTCC world champion immediately withdrew from Spa, and will ultimately drive the No. 9 Toyota Gazoo Racing during these 24 Hours of Le Mans 2017, alongside Nicolas lapierre and Yuji Kunimoto.

"It's the end of a long wait and I'm finally here, the Argentinian told us this Friday in Sarthe. Now, being here, I realize a little more why this race is so important for everyone.

The hardest thing is to appreciate it. Because on the one hand, it's something you expect throughout your career, but you also have to meet expectations. You have a responsibility. You don't want to let your teammates and your team down.

That's the hardest thing: savoring the moment but also getting in the car and becoming... a hero. I like to say that, because driving these cars on this track with the speeds they reach, overtaking the GTs... You become a hero, because it's so difficult. I understand and respect better the drivers who have been doing this for years. »

A certain pressure

Due to his accident at Silverstone, José María López only completed four short laps in the TS050 Hybrid in 2017. An obvious lack of preparation in the run-up to the race with the Japanese prototype which does not seem to worry him too much. former resident of Citroën Racing, despite the obvious pressure around Toyota, to whom the status of favorite returns before the start.

“There is always pressure, but I had it in the other series, Pechito shade. I don't want to let that influence me too much because I want to savor. I worked so hard, I deserve to be here too. It hasn't been the best start this year for me, with some complicated things but I'm finally here. I completed a lot of laps and I'm confident for the race.

I am not prepared as I would like to be. I still have experience, and I'm not too worried. You can't take anything for granted, because you can be experienced, or the best in the world, there can still be contact with a GT or LM P2, or you can damage the car... I stay focused and everything will work out as expected. »