ITW Yifei Ye : « A dream come true »

You only started in endurance racing at the beginning of 2021, in the Asian Le Mans Series. Did you think or expect to enter the top class so quickly ?

When I started, we were already aware of the new era of Endurance racing. And, of course, my aim was to enter the Hypercar as soon as possible. And in an ideal world with Porsche. The first step was my induction as a Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver a year ago. The second is my arrival in Hypercar, the result of a successful 2022 season. Everything is going according to plan. It's a dream come true.

What do you remember from this 2022 season? During this 2022 season with Cool Racing, I think I have improved a lot, both behind the wheel and outside the car. After my first season in the ELMS with WRT, I had more responsibility with Cool, mainly in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I was more kind of a leader. Thanks in particular to Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and Sascha Maassen (assigned by Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific to support him), I think I have succeeded in this mission and have shown that I have the shoulders to move up to the next level. So I'm delighted to have this opportunity today.

We have been talking about the emergence of motor sport in China for a long time. Do you feel that a level has been reached?

Guanyu Zhou is doing a good job in Formula 1. And I am now joining the top class of endurance racing. It's great for the country and we are proof that there are very good drivers in China.

Being in the top class and carrying the hopes of a whole country will put a lot of pressure on you, won't it?

It certainly does. And first of all because when you are fighting for the overall victory, you are under the spotlight more. But I will try to transform this pressure into positive energy.

You have twice raced against Jota in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, first with WRT and then with Cool Racing. What does this team inspire you?

Although I only have two years of experience in Endurance racing, I quickly realised that this is one of the most competitive teams in LMP2. Their track record speaks for itself. And I have no doubt that they will be able to compete in the Hypercar class. I'm confident that we'll be able to fight at the front.

When will you be able to drive the Porsche 963 or at least experience it in the simulator?

Nothing has been decided yet, but I think it will happen relatively quickly.

For the purposes of this official announcement at the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Night of Champions, you returned to China. How long has it been since you've been back? More than two years. The restrictions are still in place and I did not really want to observe a quarantine, but Alex (Gibot, Director of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific)  convinced me.

What about your programme for the next few days?

I will take advantage of my presence to carry out a number of marketing operations. The expectation is high and I have a lot of people to meet.