Le Mans - Simon Pagenaud with Cool Racing: "Being part of a Hypercar programme"

When did you get in touch with Cool Racing? During the 24 Hours of Daytona. I wanted to go back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Nico was looking for a driver in case his second Oreca 07 was selected. I was in contact with other teams but we quickly came to an agreement, even if we had to wait for the official entry list to finalise everything.

Why do you want to come back to Le Mans?

This desire has never left me. But for various reasons, it hasn't been possible these last few years. First of all, it is rare that there is not a clash between the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the IndyCar calendar. And when that wasn't the case, I had other duties with partners, especially when I was at Penske. But this is the right time...

What do you mean?

First of all, there are the new Hypercar regs which have attracted in so many manufacturers. And then, I wanted to take part in the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So I decided to do everything I could. And I wanted to ride the wave of my two consecutive victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona (with a Meyer Shank Racing Acura).

Did they increase your desire to come back?

Yes, but perhaps even more so the development of the Acura ARX-06. Hybrid, engine, chassis... You have to think about and develop a lot of different elements and I really like this aspect of the job, this exchange with the engineers, which I had already experienced in the past, already with HPD.

The last of your four appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 2011, when you finished second with Peugeot. It was a long time ago...

That's true. I think about that 13.854 every morning (laughs). More seriously, as I said before, the planets had not aligned until then.

Do you still have good memories of this edition?

I am surprised that some people are still bitter about this second place. Of course I would have liked to win it. But everyone remembers that duel. The fight, the quality of the cars, the level of the crews... It was incredible. No, I am not bitter. Sport is sport, and sometimes even in defeat you can win and the runner-up can also have his moment of glory. But I'm not bitter and I came out delighted with my personal performance.

But it only increased my desire to come back and win. Because I am still a competitor and to add this event to his CV is a huge achievement. And the reason I was so keen to be in the LMP2 class this year was to have a chance of being part of a Hypercar programme in the future and to have a chance of winning overall. I have a job to finish there.

But would that be compatible with your IndyCar programme? Yes, there's no reason why it can't, even if it's a few races.

Have you had any discussions with manufacturers involved in Hypercar? Yes, but for various reasons it didn't work out.

Will you be able to drive the Oreca 07 before the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

It seems a bit complicated, but we're going to see if I can come to Imola (to test the car during free practices of the second round of the ELMS). Unfortunately I can't come to Le Castellet. But I know the Oreca 07, having driven it at Petit Le Mans (in 2017) and I don't think I'll need much time to get used to the car (he won't be at Test Day either because of a clash with IndyCar).

Are you happy to see Nico again?

Yes, it's really nice what he's doing. I admire the driver and even more so today for what he has managed to build: a very good team. He's a hard worker.

What do you know about your two teammates: Reshad de Gerus and Vladislav Lomko?

That they are quite young (Laughs). I haven't taken the time to look into it yet, but I heard they have potential. I hope I can give them the benefit of my experience and I am sure that they, with their different backgrounds, will also give me the benefit.