J. Filippi: “It’s been a long time since I had fun like this”

Were you in favor of a final meeting in a special format as was the case in Jarama? 

I found the formats of WTCC and WTCR, where we only had 30 minutes between races. A format collected over two days, it was good. One day is dedicated to performance with testing, and the next is dedicated to racing with regard to settings.

How do you analyze this final? 

The conditions were not easy, but that was the case since Spa. You had to choose the right type of tires. We never went wrong with the team. When I was coming out of the pits for my grid lap, we communicated by radio and the choice was always perfect. I don't think it's a fluke either way. It’s a great way to thank the team.

How long has it been since you last won?

From memory, it dates back to Suzuka (Japan) in 2014 with the Chevrolet Cruze TC1 in the WTCC. I found the time long! So I felt a lot of joy when I crossed the finish line, even if I left with the championship in the back of my mind. I wanted to claim the title until the final. I was hoping that my competitors weren't going to have as good a race as mine, that would have been fantastic...

Did you expect to end the season as vice-champion?

Pour être franc, la Hyundai i30 N est la meilleure voiture de la catégorie TCR. Elle a gagné deux des trois Coupes du monde, le TCR Europe l’an dernier, et j’intégrais l’équipe championne d’Europe en 2019. Avec ce package, si je n’y arrivais pas cette année, cela aurait signifié que le problème était ciblé (sous-entendu, d’ordre personnel. Ndlr) et que je n’avais rien à dire. De toute façon, il fallait travailler dur, et les résultats allaient venir. C’est ce qu’il s’est produit. J’ai même montré de bonnes choses par rapport à d’autres pilotes Hyundai, lesquels prétendaient au titre en début de saison car ils connaissaient mieux l’auto que moi.

Was this the year or never to show yourself, after two complicated seasons where you returned to European level and experienced three different teams?

Every year, it's the same thing. We always want to show our potential. In 2018 and 2019, I only managed to show small bits of performance here and there, but no big results. In 2020, I didn't even have to ride! I found myself on the grid, a bit by chance, by luck. I took the place of an Argentinian driver who was supposed to do the whole season, but who could no longer travel to Europe because of restrictions linked to Covid-19. I have been very lucky. So, I didn't feel any pressure, I took this opportunity as a bonus. You had to be crazy to say no!

How did the integration into the Target Competition team take place?

We only conducted three days of testing before the first race at Paul-Ricard in August. They didn't expect me to drive that fast! They were impressed. I think it helped that they took me seriously right away. We created a good dynamic, and I enjoyed this atmosphere. Their working method is very different from many TCR teams, and that really interested me. A single engineer takes care of all the drivers. All settings and data are shared, which allows the car to progress very quickly during a meeting.

The season immediately started well with a pole position.

From that moment, I knew that I had to continue in the same way and remain very consistent. This is how Mikel Azcona and Josh Files were titled in previous years. The team was always behind me, it was a real pleasure. I found good sensations behind the wheel, it had been a long time since I had fun like this.

Precisely, consistency was a strong point, because you scored points in each race, which was not the case for Mehdi Bennani, your executioner…

I completely missed it during the Zolder qualification. I took a risk on the settings, and I took the wrong direction. Otherwise, I finished all the races. The only thing we changed on the body of the Hyundai was the front splitter! So yes, I could perhaps have taken more risks, but when we see the course of certain very offensive drivers who did not finish the races, I say to myself that I adopted the right tactics.

How was the difference between Mehdi and you, when he didn't win a single race?

He handled his bad weekends better. He was able to score more points than me. For example, in Zolder, I finished 11th and 9th, while for him in Spa, he finished each time in the top 10, therefore in the points.

How has the coronavirus disrupted the progress of the season?

The motorsport industry works a lot with freelancers. Teams are struggling to find labor for four race cars. Some people cannot risk going away for an entire weekend if they have a weekday job, due to the risk of contamination or travel restrictions. We often saw new faces in the garage. For my part, I was lucky in keeping the same mechanic throughout the year. Everyone was motivated, it was crucial to be in harmony because the schedule was spread over three months.

Did this new format benefit you?

I prefer focused calendars like this. I can stay fully focused on my goal, without thinking about anything other than the competition, the day after a race. However, this requires a greater mental investment. I finished the season exhausted. The pressure is constant. After the Jarama race, I felt extremely tired, but not from the physical effort itself. We feel lighter.

Have you noticed a difference in level between the WTCR and the TCR Europe?

No. Even if two drivers from WTCR finished in the first two places, the level remains extremely high in TCR Europe. We must not forget that Julien Briché had more difficulty than last year (2nd in 2019, 10th in 2020). TCR Europe drivers who move up to WTCR then score podiums. There isn't a world of difference.

What will your future hold? Stay in TCR Europe or return to WTCR?

Ideally, I would like to go to WTCR, it's the pinnacle. But it's still too early. We are going through a big crisis, and motorsport will take second place for many people. Sponsorship will be more complicated to find. It will be difficult, but nothing is closed.

Is not having a WTCR race in France a negative point for the search for partners?

Yes. Beautiful circuits can be used there, such as Paul-Ricard or Magny-Cours. The organizers must have their reasons, but I would love to race in France. We have superb tracks and it's a shame not to share them with the public.