You drove a Ford at the 12 Hours of Sebring. What did you think of the car?

"For me it's the vision of the entire program. I am particularly fond of it because of Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren's (two New Zealander drivers) win at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's a real joy for me to be a part of a team I know well. There are people I've worked with for a long time in programs like IndyCar. The car is fantastic, it's already competitive in the World Endurance Championship and in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. I am looking forward to doing this race, it has been on my list for years. It's a real dream."

You have won the Rolex 24 at Daytona twice, in 2006 and 2015. Why do so many drivers go from one class to the next?

"Most of us love racing. Daytona is a race that takes place very early in the year (in January, editor's note). For us, IndyCar drivers, it's easy to add that race to our program. When you get offered to do legendary races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona or the 12 Hours of Sebring, you immediately want to participate of course. To go from IndyCar to endurance races, that transition is pretty easy for me. I like endurance races because they are as similar as they are different from what I do the rest of the time. For me, I like driving so as soon as I'm in a car, all is well. Anytime I have to do another stint, I say yes, no problem!"

You have never competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. How are you preparing for the race?

"I have talked with quite a few drivers, for example Sébastien Bourdais who will be on the team for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA, editor's note). Also, he is from Le Mans (laughs). It will be great to have him as a teammate. And, every year I watch the race. I have also worked with a simulator to get used to the circuit. I have learned how to deal with neutralization cars, the Slow Zones, enter the pits at a certain speed. I've done as much as possible to be ready since I was unable to participate in Test Day on Sunday, June 5th because we had an IndyCar race at Detroit."

What are your goals for the race, especially with a new car?

"The goal will be to win even though it's a new car. Chip Ganassi Team, Ford and Multimatic have done great work in terms of preparing the Ford GTs. It's a completely new program. To win is what we would like to do, but the reality may turn out differently. In any case, it will be special to return to Le Mans, 50 years after Ford's first victory."

David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 5 2016, TEST DAY. The No. 69 Ford GT will be driven by New Zealander Scott Dixon at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.