Mathieu Jaminet on observation internship at COTA

While waiting for the Indianapolis round (September 20-22), Mathieu Jaminet is not taking a break. The 29-year-old driver, who represents Porsche en IMSA, is thus present at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (Texas) this weekend, taking advantage of the absence of a round of the North American championship.Endurance to get to WEC with his colleagues at Porsche Penske Motorsport.

« My role this weekend is to be a reserve pilot, Mathieu Jaminet explained to us in the aisles of the Texan circuit. I am not expected to get in the car. I am more here to see how the WEC team works. We try to have driver exchanges depending on the races. It is always good to keep in touch with what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic. The way of working is a little different. We did it at Road America where engineers from the World Championship came. It is interesting to see and learn, to see where we can improve or vice versa with the experience of the United States since we work a little differently. »

Jaminet: “The team structure is really different” between WEC and IMSA

« The team structure is really different, continues the Frenchman. In IMSA, drivers and engineers are all in the same truck. So we have a continuous exchange, which allows us to always know what is happening on the other car. In WEC, they have specific time slots for briefings between drivers and engineers. Some of the procedures are a little different. »

Although he won't be putting on his helmet or suit this weekend, Mathieu Jaminet isn't idle. He's taking the opportunity to discover the behind-the-scenes of a competition weekend. Being outside the race allows you to have a better overview, explains the Lorrainer. Seeing both cars how they work, getting feedback from each other to see if one car is better than another, it's interesting, because we don't have that chance too much when we race. I can do things that I don't have time to do on normal race weekends. »

Knowledge that could be useful to him in IMSA where he is associated with Nick Tandy: “ It's interesting to learn as a driver what everyone does. It will help me for IMSA, for sure. »

Could this presence make him want to change his programme in 2025 to compete in the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship? The grid (in WEC) is exceptional, but I am a lover of American racing, admits Jaminet. We had another great race at Road America three weeks ago. I'm really enjoying myself in IMSA, I'm very happy to be there. I would also like the WEC, it gives me the guarantee of being at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I am not closed to the idea of ​​doing the WEC. »

Porsche has already made a program change after the 2023 season by swapping Matt Campbell and Dane Cameron. Lined up in the World Endurance Championship last year, Cameron was sent to IMSA this season, while Campbell now competes in the WEC.

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