Tony Kanaan: “We are not here to participate”

From the top of his American record in IndyCar (2004 champion, winner of the 500 Indianapolis 2013), but also in Endurance including success at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2015, already with Chip Ganassi Racing, Tony Canaan is anything but a beginner in motorsport.

However, it is in the shoes of a rookie that the Brazilian arrived in Sarthe this week, he who will start at 24 Hours of Le Mans This year. A presence due to Sébastien’s package Bourdais on the No. 68 Ford GT, after the Frenchman's accident during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.

« Running here was one of my life's dreams, I wanted to do it forever, Kanaan admitted to us yesterday before the second qualifications. I knew I would have an opportunity, but certainly not under the circumstances of this year. I have been so close to this team for several years, and I saw the Ford GT program born on the premises, not far from the IndyCar part, and also saw my colleagues win last year. When Sébastien had his accident, Chip contacted me and I was really surprised. »

A dream now come true for the Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar driver, Tony Kanaan's presence at Le Mans will not be limited to a simple participation. Engaged in the winning car in GTE Pro in 2016, the 42-year-old driver intends to play his card to the fullest despite his inexperience in the Le Mans event.

“I’m not that “prepared” that much, Kanaan points out. It was only two weeks since I found out I was coming, and I missed Test Day because I had an IndyCar race (in Detroit). I prepared as much as possible. I went through the rules, I watched last year's race twice on board camera and the broadcast.

I have done twelve hours in the simulator, and ten laps since the start of the week (before qualifications 2 and 3). I hope it will be enough to have clean stints and give my teammates a good car. I did my five obligatory night laps on Wednesday evening. For me, the difficulty is not running at night, but more about the procedures which are different, with the Slow Zones, from those in the United States.

In a 24-hour race, everyone has a chance. Looking at the history of the car and the team, our chances are 100%. I don’t think I would have come if I had no chance of winning. We are not here to participate. We are here to win. »

If the 24 Hours of Le Mans track is new for the native of Salvador de Bahia, knowledge of the Ford GT will be an asset for Kanaan. “It’s the only thing I know here, compared to all the unknowns at Le Mans. I'm comfortable, it's easy to drive. It suits my riding style.

The biggest difficulty is keeping a good pace. Sometimes you do a good first sector, you go for a good time, but there are still many turns left. And if you make a mistake in one of them, you lose everything, and you have to wait another four minutes to try another good round. This is what requires the most time to adapt. You have to make compromises, so as not to lose the time gained in a sector. I'm not going to qualify the car, and I don't have the pressure to complete a perfect lap. Above all, I have to be consistent during the race. »

Tony Kanaan and his teammates Dirk Müller and Joey Hand will start tomorrow from 12th position in the GTE Pro category.