Oreca aims for victory at Sebring

Travel across the Atlantic has often been successful for Oreca in the past. Hugues de Chaunac knows this and intends to use this experience of the American race to impose the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

“Sebring is a very special race because there are the same number of cars on the track as at Le Mans, but on a track twice as short,” explains the boss of the Var team. To win, you don't necessarily have to be the most efficient: you have to be the most skilled in traffic. Pilots must not make the slightest mistake. The keys to success are clear: you have to be very patient, conservative and not stop unnecessarily in the stands. Our ambition is to get on the podium, the highest step would be ideal and we have experience of victories on American soil. »

The trio composed of Nicolas lapierre, Loïc duval and Olivier Panis will have to face a quest strewn with pitfalls to conquer the Grail. The first challenge will be to beat the new official Peugeot 908s, the second will be to go the distance against the flawless reliability of the Audis. But the unpredictable nature of the 12 Hours of Sebring makes it a race extremely open to all scenarios.

“Here, the race is first and foremost a spectacle, hence the frequent exits of the safety caré, continues Hugues de Chaunac. In Europe, a serious incident is required for the yellow flag to be displayed, whereas in the United States, at the slightest alert, the race is neutralized. We know the strategy to adopt well because we completed two full seasons in 2000 and 2001 in the United States. We will know how to adapt. »

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