It is now official : Sebastien Loeb will participate to the 2005 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on 18-19 June. The French driver talked to us about this new challenge.
Is it a dream for you to race at Le Mans?
"We cannot really say that it is a dream since my passion for motorsport is essentially focused on rally. I do this race mostly for fun. Le Mans is a mythical place and to compete there in a car like the Percarolo-Judd, which has a chance of winning, is really nice. But I take it as a fun experience, even though I am very seriously committed to it."
So you are not preparing yourself for a new career...
(Laughs). "No, no, were not there yet! But it is a good opportunity to try something else, to have fun and acquire a bit of experience with a big car that is very different from a WRC. It is true that the future in rally isnt rosy, we dont really know what will happen. So this experience might be helpful one day."
How will you adapt from the short sprints of a rally to the long runs in endurance racing?
"At the moment, I dont really know (laughs)! In my opinion, it must be at the limit most of the time. The stints are long but the drivers must not let go much during their series of laps. I am in good shape physically, so it should be fine in that area."
What aspects in your driving and technical feedback about the car will you need to adapt?
"On the technical side, it is too early to know how the feedback with the engineers and my team-mates will go since I am in a learning phase. As for the driving, it is completely different. We try to be as clean as possible at the wheel of a WRC but we are still sideways a lot.
I think the most difficult for me will be to get used to the cornering speeds. With the grip and downforce available, it is another world. I am not used to take fast corners at 280 km/h!
Braking will also be different. In WRC, we play a lot between the accelerator and the brake to control the car. On a circuit, it is pure deceleration. The only resemblance is the use of the left foot!"
Racing in a group, overtaking, drafting are all new elements for you. How do feel about these differences?
"I will have to adapt! I admit that I am not asking myself too many questions for now! It will be up to me to find the right balance: not being too gentle with the others but avoiding to touch, being careful not to hit another car while braking, with only one hour left to finish my stint and 15 hours left in the race, how to manage and use drafting when I have the opportunity... once again, all this is new to me."
Did you talk to other drivers about Le Mans, like McRae who took part in this race for the first time last year?
"No, except with Frequelin who took part in the race a few years ago and a little bit with Sarrazin. But just like that, without going into details like race strategies and technical aspects."
What is your background in circuit and endurance racing?
"My first experience dates back to 1997 in the MG Trophy, at the Paul Ricard circuit. Then after I won a Formula France race in the FFSA Super Series. It was at Nogaro during the 2002 Easter Cup. And I also drove in the Nürburgring 24-Hour race with one of my first partner, in 2000 I think. I dont remember of any tough overtaking battles. The slowest let the quickest go by. So I am not too worried for Le Mans. I think that good sportsmanship is part of endurance racing."
Did you ever drive at the Le Mans circuit?
"No, I never drove there. I dont know the circuit, except on Playstation (laughs)! However, it gives me a good idea of what to expect and not be surprised by the track. In a way, yes, I already know the circuit!"
Do you know who will be your team-mates?
"I should team up with Eric Helary and Soheil Ayari. I only met briefly Ayari once at Nogaro and I know he was an "Espoir Echappement" like me a few years earlier but thats all."
When did you meet Henri Pescarolo for the first time?
"I met him at Le Mans in 2004 as a guest but it is during a Playstation promotional event at the Paul Ricard circuit last year after the Tour de Corse that I really got to know him better. Since then we have been in touch more often and it will undoubtedly increase!"
Do you have testing scheduled with the Pescarolo-Judd?
"Yes, as early as next week. Tuesday and Wednesday I am doing a WRC test in Greece and then right after I will do two days of testing at the Paul Ricard circuit with the Pescarolo-Judd. It is essential that I have to find my marks and get a feeling and reference points with this car which is so different from my usual references.
In the MG Trophy, I was taking the Signe corner at 160 km/h. With the Xsara, I would probably go there at 200. With the Pesca, it must be almost at full speed, after a 300 km/h straight! It is something that I will have to get used to because my instinct will tell me to brake..."
Citroën were not too reluctant?
"No. Of course I talked to Frequelin about it. If the team wasnt stopping at the end of the season, I am not sure if they would have let me race at Le Mans. Now it is a bit different. Of course he is taking a risk. If I hurt myself, it might compromise Citroëns season and mine! Inside the team, they understood that it will be a good experience for me and they trust me enough to know that I never take inconsiderate risks."
What memories do you have from your visit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year?
"I am not really interested to be a spectator at a race. I saw the start, I watched the cars go by on the straight but I didnt say to myself I absolutely have to do the 24 Hours. On the other hand, testing the car at the Paul Ricard circuit was an determining factor. I really enjoyed it and the idea started from there. I did only a few laps on a wet track. But I felt its amazing potential and it gave me the desire to go further."
What are your goals for this major premiere?
"I have a car that has the potential to win, a team and team-mates that can compete for the victory. So I am in that state of mind. Anyway, I really dont want to be the anvil, the one who slows down or causes the team the lose. I will give my best to be as good as my team-mates."
How do you feel about life without a co-driver?
"Very well! Its h*** to have a co-driver all the time (laughs)! 24 hours without Daniel, it will be like a vacation (laughs)!"

Tags: endurance, sebastien, loeb, le-mans, 24, hours,