What is your frame of mind just a few days before the 88th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

"I can't wait. I'm also happy the weather will be good and the temp is incredibly high. Unfortunately, that will most likely change during the race. I'm thrilled to be here and I'm trying to be as well-prepared as possible. We spent many days in the simulator despite the fact we're fielding a car we know very well. We are simply in optimisation mode."

You are seeking a third consecutive win, but tell us about overcoming the #7 Toyota and two Rebellion R13-Gibsons to do so.

"Of course. The sister car is highly competitive this year as it has been for several seasons. It's up to us to try and be at an even higher performance level than they are. It's a tough battle and it has never been easy to beat them. We're going to do our best and we'll see at the end of the race. We know how complicated this race is."

What is it like taking on drivers from your own team?

"I find it very unique. It's not something I particularly enjoy. I'd rather fight against another team. That's how it is this year. It's on us to bring a good fight on equal footing, and the best will prevail."

Does TOYOTA GAZOO Racing allow you to go head to head, or are there team guidelines to respect?

"We have small guidelines, like not to surpass the limits of the track, not to damage the car for nothing. We also have rules between us relative to traffic management and phases after safety car interventions. Nonetheless, they let us fight it out. Objectively, the most important thing is for Toyota to win in the end."

With the postponement of the race until September, the night will be longer. How are you preparing for that phase of the race?

"We will do our best to work on the car's set-up as temps will be lower than in June. The most important thing for us is to be sure we have the correct tyres and the right time according to the temperature. We know the track is not too demanding on the tyres. Yet, we could have tyres that don't work as well during the night. Thursday's sessions will be important in preparing for the race. We'll need to collect as much data as we can and make the proper technical decisions."

Will tyre management overnight be the key to the race?

"Certainly! But it will depend on the how the race is going and if we're battling the #7 Toyota or the Rebellions. If it's the #7, we'll know in real time what each car is doing. What is for sure is that tyre management will make the difference."

This 88th running will mark the final participation of hybrid LMP1s in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What will you remember about them?

"I will remember them as being quite remarkable because the level of technology was exceptional. What progress was made between 2012 and 2018. I've driven the most evolved cars in auto racing. It is truly going to tug at my heartstrings when we put the TS050 Hybrid in the garage after the 8 Hours of Bahrain (final round of the 2019-2020 FIA WEC season, Ed.). As a driver, what we love is to go fast and those cars allowed us to blow away a lot of records. The most impressive aspect was the reacceleration exiting a corner with the four-wheel drive and the 1,000 hp. It was breathtaking."

Are you going to attempt a new time record during the Hyperpole on Friday between 11:30 and 12:00?

"We also let loose the horses. In the past, the pole was more a result of a driver having the good fortune not to encounter much traffic on the track, and by pure speed. I've always impressed upon the ACO to modify the rules. That will be the case this year thanks to the Hyperpole."

How is the preparation going for your Le Mans Hypercar, the future car of the head class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA WEC?

"It's going well. I've done quite a few days in the simulator and I even took part in my seat mould last week. We should be doing the first tests next month. Then we'll do the crucial development work to be ready and reliable in the first races of 2021. That last point will be very important."