Sébastien Buemi recalls his first testing sessions with the TS030

"I remember being very excited, obviously. It was my first time testing out the car. It didn't have the livery we used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012. I was super enthusiastic to take the wheel and I realised it was a fairly complex prototype. Initially, we encountered technical problems we didn't expect, then things got better."

An ambitious technical project

"It was pretty incredible because every year, until 2018, we benefitted from technical improvements. In the beginning, the hybrid system wasn't as powerful. Then it became more and more powerful. Now, with the eight megajoules we use at Le Mans, we keep getting faster thanks to the power of the hybrid system as far as three quarters of every straight. Naturally, it's very impressive when you're in the car, with the four-wheel drive you feel the power and acceleration. It's wonderful to be a driver involved in this caliber of project. Each time you get in the car, it's faster. You truly appreciate going back to Le Mans and knowing you can be faster than you've every been."

An unforgettable moment of the LMP1 era

"I'd say my first win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 was the most unforgettable. Since 2012, we'd come close but never made it to the top step on the podium. In 2018, when we crossed the finish line the winners, it was an incredible moment."

Is he sad the 8 Hours of Bahrain will be the last of the LMP1 era?

"Yes. Obviously the new regulations are fascinating in many ways because they open different doors. The LMP1 class will disappear. The performance level will be different and I'm sad not to drive this car after Bahrain. It's the end of an era. The TS050 Hybrid means a lot to me. It's a huge part of our three Le Mans wins and our championship trophy last season. I am extremely proud of what we've done as a team with this car. But, I prefer to look to the future and we'll do our best to win another title on Saturday."