24h Le Mans
Photo : Arnaud CORNILLEAU - ACO/Nikon
4/24 - Saturday, 4th December - Simon Pagenaud
It did not take long for the this driver from Poitiers to become one of the greatest of modern endurance racing. He achieved a prestigious double in 2010, with the ALMS title and the win in the 1000km of Spa.
In moving to the United States, Simon Pagenaud made a wise decision to contest American Le Mans Series 2009 at the wheel of the Acura entered by Brazilian-French (born in Paris) Gil de Ferran, but the winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 2003 announced his intention to enter Indycar. Never mind Simon Pagenaud joined Highcroft Racing and became the teammate of David Brabham, his opponent number one in 2009, also on Acura! The Franco-Australian duo works well, winning three of the first four rounds of the 2010 season, and resists the return of Lola and Porsche RS Spyder of CytoSport to win the title.
In Europe, the transatlanic success of Simon Pagenaud quickly attracted the attention of Olivier Quesnel and Henri Pescarolo, who offered he a drive in the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP for Pescarolo Sport at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2009, and with participation in the 1000 km of Spa for Team Peugeot Total. He performed brilliantly in this task by giving them victory in the Belgian Ardennes with Nicolas Minassian and Christian Klien, successfully repeated in 2010, with Sebastien Bourdais and Pedro Lamy.
The wins of Simon Pagenaud are impressive, but are also emblematic of a younger generation of drivers who chose to orient their career towards endurance racing. At only 26, he still has a bright future ahead of him to write his name on other classics such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jean-Philippe Doret
Photo: 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2010. Simon Pagenaud (centre) and Pedro Lamy (left) celebrates pole position won by Sebastien Bourdais (right) with their Peugeot 908 HDi FAP.
