Sébastien Buemi: “I am on my planet”

Are you starting to realize?

It's still complicated, but I'm super happy. I'm on my planet, I don't care about anything, I'm so happy. If there was so much emotion at the finish, it's because we reached the goal after so many years, so many disappointments.

Je ne retire rien à ceux qui ont gagné avec Audi et Porsche, ce sont tous de superbes vainqueurs, mais gagner avec Toyota est, à mes yeux, encore plus grand, car c’est un constructeur qui n’avait encore jamais gagné au Mans, qui y tenait tant et depuis si longtemps (1985. Ndlr).

And then no one will ever forget what happened in 2016 (turbo hose detached at the start of the last lap while the No. 5 was in the lead. Editor's note). All the difficulties we encountered make this victory even more beautiful. I'm happy for the team members because they all suffered. We have to tell the truth, it hasn't always been easy.

Have you ever felt resignation, as if Toyota had been hit by a curse?

We took some big hits, but each time, the team was always happy to come back. And this year was no exception. It may seem strange, but we all appreciate how lucky we are to be there when Audi and Porsche suddenly ended their programs. No, I never felt the guys were resigned and I never heard anyone say: “We'll never make it anyway!” »

Discover the full interview with Sébastien Buemi, in our post-decryption24 Hours of Le Mans, in issue 2171 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.