Last year, you were in LM P2 in a Morgan Evo SARD entered by Team Sard Morand (with Pierre Ragues and Zoël Amberg). This year, you're in an LM P1. How are they different?
"The main difference is in the power, there's a lot more in an LM P1. The aerodynamic downforce is also more important in the top class. In places like Pouhon, the Eau Rouge at Spa and the Porsche Curves at Le Mans, the difference is more sensitive. Then, in terms of the slower parts of the circuit, the difference is less obvious, the LM GTEs and LMPs are even pretty close. Clearly, in the straights, we have more power but also more weight than an LM P2."

This is your first experience in LM P1. What do you think of it?
"I am having fun at the wheel of the CLM and the battle with the Rebellion Racing guys is interesting. The Fédération Internationale Automobile (FIA), the World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), everyone is in the process of working to have more cars in the FIA Endurance Private Teams Trophy. There should be more cars as of this year. That's good news for the competitive level of the class. Rebellion Racing just claimed two overall podium finishes (third at Silverstone then at Spa) and the gap with the hybrid LM P1s is less important now. It's heading in the right direction."

The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be your next race. How do you see that race?
"Rebellion Racing's cars are really very fast in the straights, we are fighting that problem. We are actually going to test some innovations prior to Le Mans to make up for our delay in terms of top speed. On the other hand, we are better as far as tyres go and in the slow corners. We should be able to make up the gap and be reliable. Our goal is to be ahead of the Rebellion Racing's two R-Ones."

Who will be in the driver line-up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
"Since the beginning of the year, I have shared the car with Simon Trummer and James Rossiter. The latter has replaced Pierre Kaffer (entered in another championship, editor's note) but for Le Mans and the rest of the year, Pierre will be a member of the team."

You are going to compete in your third 24 Hours of Le Mans. How did your previous two participations go?
"The podium at Le Mans with the Alpine A450b-Nissan in 2014 (with Paul-Loup Chatin and Nelson Panciatici, editor's note) was just incredible. To finish my very first 24 Hours of Le Mans in third place, with a French marque, French sponsors, at a French race...that was wonderful. Last year, with the Morgan Evo Nissan of Team Sard Morand, we were third when the engine broke down."

David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: STAVELOT (LIEGE PROVINCE, BELGIUM), SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, FIA WEC, WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, SATURDAY MAY 7 2016, PRE-GRID. The 2014 European le Mans Series champion will compete in his third 24 Hours of Le Mans this year.