What can you tell us about your team SMP Racing?
“Our target with SMP is to progress the Russian drivers, Viktor Shaitar and Aleksey Basov, step by step. I received a target from Ferrari to follow SMP Racing from last year when we won the European Le Mans Series. So this year we are taking a step up to the FIA World Endurance Championship. We have to try to do our best, to teach the guys the ways of a pro driver, to be focused during the race weekend, to follow the team, to check all the data, all the small details that in the end could make a big difference. I am really proud of the guys and the team of course. I think it will be a really interesting year.”

You are now racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship with SMP Racing. Is it just a year to learn or is the target already to win the LM GTE Am class in your first year?
“Like everyone, our target is to win! When somebody tells you that they’re only here to learn, it’s not true! We are here to try to do our best and the best result would be to try to win the championship. It is quite difficult because in LM GTE Am, the Aston Martins are at another level! Honestly, for us, the target is to be the best car after the Aston Martins, but we’ll see. The season is quite long and we have to score the maximum number of points every race.”

The next step is the Le Mans 24 Hours. What are your objectives for this race?
“LM GTE Am is a tight, close, category because this year there are many cars in the class (14, ed.) and it is quite competitive. Last year, we ran really well. We had a strong chance to be close to the top, and then we had some problem in the night with the car (Bertolini had the same co-drivers last year, ed.). So we have to improve to make another step. In 2014, it was not positive in the end (Shaitar crashed out, ed.) but the guys learned a lot because it was their first time. This time, we have to be there with just one target – winning.”

It will be your fourth participation at Le Mans. What are your memories of your previous three races?
“Every time is something new at Le Mans. I’m a bit disappointed because it’s only my fourth time at Le Mans, because it’s one of my favourite races. Everything is special at Le Mans – the atmosphere, the people, the circuit, everything! Every year since 2001, I have raced at the 24 Hours of Spa, and have won there, so I have always wanted to do something at Le Mans. So it’s really a shame because it is only my fourth time at Le Mans. But being in GT1 (FIA GT1 World Championship, ed.) in the past, I was not able to run in Le Mans.”

You have won so many races and championships. In particular, you were twice FIA GT1 World Champion. If you won Le Mans, where would you rate this victory?
“In my career, I have been very lucky. When you win, you have to be in the right place with the right car, with the right team-mate, with a strong team, and you have to be ready to be really focused. I won the FIA GT1 World Championship four times (the first two times, the title of World Champion was not awarded, ed.), the 24 Hours of Spa twice, the European Le Mans Series last year, the Asian Le Mans Series and the Super Stars Series, but Le Mans of course would be something really special. Winning GT1 especially in 2010 was really good, but I think Le Mans would be at the same level as the World Championship. It would be one of the nicest and most exciting memories of my life.”

To finish, could you sum up your important role for Ferrari?
“I do many things at home every day, as I live just two kilometres from Ferrari. In the past, when Formula One testing was free, the guys used to call me and asked me to go down to the track for tests. Now I’m in charge of following development of racing activities for Ferrari and Maserati. I do the shakedown for the Formula Ones that we sell to our customers. And for all the new activity and projects, I am in charge of following the development.”

David Bristol / ACO

Photo: SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (BELGIUM), SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, FIA WEC, 4 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, SATURDAY 2 MAY 2015, RACE. Andrea Bertolini is preparing to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the fourth time.