Loïc Duval delighted to be back at COTA, where he was the first WEC winner

Here we are Loïc back on the Circuit of the Americas, what do you think of the return of this track to the calendar? WEC, you who imposed yourself here in 2013?

It's a track that I particularly like, it's one of the rare new generation tracks that I like! I have rather good memories here, since I always finished on the podium. I'm delighted to be here, it's good to have races in the USA, it's certainly interesting that it's part of the calendar. We had Sebring, of course, but it's cool to come here, it's a place that I like. It's never an easy race because it's very hot, but it's very good to be back.

Bumps are a subject that comes up regularly when we go to COTA, what do you think?

It's a circuit that has evolved a lot, I remember the very beginning, I wouldn't say it was a billiard table, but it was pretty good. The track deteriorated afterwards, so it's sure that has an impact on the performance of the cars, the difficulties that we can potentially encounter. Here, there is a little novelty with a renovation of the first corners, the return straight and the last corner, so we'll see what that will give. It creates a few little unknowns in any case.

Could this have an impact?

Turn 1 was quite bumpy, now in turn 2 it doesn't change much, in the last one either. There are still a lot of difficulties on turns 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 where it is still quite bumpy, also in turn 11 which has not been redone, then in 12. I don't think it will have a major impact, but it was important and I think they are doing it mainly for the MotoGP.

“Complicated” double relays

In addition to the bumps, another factor, the heat, makes this race very physical, do you think we will see strategies where each driver could only do one stint at a time?

A double stint will be complicated, but we will see drivers doing them. Other teams will also choose single stints, it will depend on the temperatures we see in the cars. What is certain is that it makes things a little bit difficult, it has always been an important factor here. In my last race here in 2016 with Audi, the team doctors were very careful about the temperatures in the cockpit, the body temperatures as well. It is an important factor, and it will depend on how the drivers feel. It is not even a question of being physically fit or not, it depends on the acceptance of the heat and humidity. It will depend on the air conditioning systems and their efficiency as well.

From this point of view, for you, Peugeot is in a good position on cooling? And you, are you comfortable in these conditions?

We've never had any major problems, it will be hot, but one thought I can have is also to tell myself that rather than being in the shit, getting out and going back in, I prefer to stay in it, do my two stints and then it's over! Logically I'll be there at the end of the race for the last stints, the temperatures should drop, so for me a double stint at the end shouldn't be too complicated.

Pit stops, critical in terms of heat

What are your worst memories in terms of heat?

I remember that here in 2013 and 2014 it was very hot and it was complicated. The worst memories are perhaps from here, but the most complicated thing is not when you do your stint in the car, it's when you stop in the pit lane, and the heat rises, and it never cools down behind. When the body takes three or four degrees, it's really hard behind.

And the rain could play a role as well…

Yes, but when it rains here it's usually a downpour, I don't think it will be very constant. It will make a bit of a mess and it could be complicated for a few laps, but it dries quickly when there are a lot of cars and it's hot, then you wonder what to do, stay on track, change the tires, it will be very important.

Interview by Michaël Duforest, in Austin.