As a former track cyclist, what attracted you to motorsport?
I used to watch motorsport on TV. I had a little car I used to take to do track days at Oulton Park, my local track. When I finished my cycling season I would have about a month that I could spend driving. I never thought I could race but I just enjoyed driving. Then the opportunity came with Nissan to do the British GT championship and then the European Le Mans Series. The opportunity was too good to say no to.
 

How was LM P3? How do you find the car?
It’s a great car, it’s a great way to introduce drivers to downforce and to an aero package. Compared to a GT car I felt the transition has been fairly smooth, It’s not been too big a step up. I think going from GT to LM P2 is quite different. It’s a lovely car, it’s great fun and you feel like you’re really driving it because there’s no ABS or traction control.
 

You could say you had a successful first year! How do you feel about winning the championship?
Yes, delighted! I didn’t expect us to be champions. I knew Charlie was a very quick driver but I didn’t know what to expect for myself. To be championship winner is amazing. Really.
 

Is the world of motorsport very different to that of track cycling?
There are some similarities, the mental aspect is very similar, the concentration, the ability to focus and block out distractions is very important in motorsport as it is in track cycling. The biggest difference is the basic skills required. They are completely different. In a race, you’re trying to read what’s going to happen before it happens, looking ahead, thinking ahead. That does also help in cycling, you do try to predict and see what’s happening ahead and react before it happens.
 

Are both sports equally professional?
You see people who are successful in any type of industry or sport or whatever. There are similarities in the way they think, the way they operate. The people who are disciplined, the people who work as a team, where everybody in the team works together, they gel and they are more successful. It’s the same in cycling. We had a very good team behind us and everybody was pushing to be the very best they could be, no matter what their role. I see that in motorsport too.
 

You won the title in 2015, so what’s the next step, in 2016?
P2, hopefully, for Le Mans. That would be the dream scenario. Nothing is finalised just now but we’re hoping that we can get it sorted so I can be at Le Mans next year in LM P2 and in ELMS as well. As far the car is concerned it will be a Nissan-powered car.
 

Is the 24 Hours of Le Mans your ultimate goal?
Yes. Definitely. It’s a chance to compete in something at the very highest level. I can’t think of another sport where an amateur can do that. It’s like playing tennis at Wimbledon or taking part in the world cup final in football. It’s amazing to have the privilege to be able to race on the same track at the same time as some of the best drivers in the world or the best cars in the world. For that reason alone, aside from the excitement and drama of it all, it’s great to be involved, to be a part of it.

David Bristol / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SATURDAY 31 JUNE 2015, TEST DAY. Chris Hoy took part in the test day in 2015 and hopes to be on the starting grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016.