Valentin Hasse-Clot: “I feel like I’ve already done the WEC!”

Valentin Hasse-Clot, what are your feelings as you approach this first race of the 2025 season? WEC ?

I was there last year as a coach, but everything I did in 2024 was to land in the car this season. It was a lot of work to get to be there. I knew that the arrival of the two Hypercars (Aston Martin. Ed.) was going to free up places in GT. Combining the World Championship with the European Le Mans Series and theIMSA, it's a bonus. The more you ride, the better you perform.

What do you expect from this season?

We have a good crew (with Eduardo Barrichello and Derek Deboer. Ed.), a very reliable car and a well-oiled team. However, this remainsEndurance and anything can happen. We take it step by step. We are three beginners at this level so there is a bit of a learning curve.

Your results with Derek in the European Le Mans Series are a good basis to launch this season…

We know what we lacked to win the title in ELMS in 2024. We didn't come far, it was decided by a few points in the last race (third with ten points behind Iron Lynx. Editor's note). I have already competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in 2023 with Arnold and Maxime Robin), Derek did Road to Le Mans, so he knows the circuit too. Eduardo is a very talented youngster, but he had not driven a GT3 before apart from a test a year ago and he was good in the Prologue. It's a very good choice. I don't want people to stop at his name, he has everything to build.

Eduardo Barrichello, Valentin Hasse-Clot and Derek Deboer admire the Aston Martin Valkyrie – Photo: Julien Delfosse / DPPI

How do you judge Derek's progress?

He is a very serious person. He is a Bronze who has to make financial efforts to be here. He gives himself the means to succeed in his physical and mental preparation. He is also well surrounded and this helps him in his progression.

What can you gain from being present throughout last season as a coach?

I feel like I've already done the WEC! I know every corner of every paddock, I've done all the track walks. My role last year was to coach the Bronze and Silver, so before each race I make an introductory document of the track with lots of information. By doing it myself, it gives me the feeling of having already driven on the track. More than being present, I've really worked on these races. I also know most of the circuits, I drove in Austin in GT World Challenge America with Derek two years ago, I've already driven in Fuji, as for Bahrain I was at the WEC Rookie Tests three years ago. There's only here and in Interlagos (Brazil) where I've never driven.

What result are you hoping for to start this season?

Our car works well on this circuit. Finishing in the top five would be very good, especially as there are big points to score here.

As an Aston Martin driver, seeing the Valkyrie make its racing debut here, does that make you want to continue your career?

This car is magnificent, but I am realistic. Today, I am still a GT driver. I have done a lot and nothing at the same time. I am going to compete in my first race in WEC, I did not get on the podium at Le Mans, I have a lot of things to validate and a lot of objectives to achieve before even dreaming of the Hypercar. I could start thinking about it, do laps in LM P2 to prepare myself, but that would be burning the stages. I will try to make my way in GT during the next two or three years and if there is an opportunity I will seize it.

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