Last year's winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans is going to defend his title in a couple of weeks time. And this time, the french driver participates in a world premiere: Running a hybrid car at Le Mans, the Audi #1, sharing the drive with Marcel Fassler and Andre Lotterer !

What are your strongest memories from your victory last year?
Benoît Tréluyer : The podium! Crossing the finish line, the podium, the excitement and emotions in the team. That just felt so good after all the effort the team put into the venture. It was a great reward to the whole team. The only thing we were missing at the time were the other two cars. 

What did this victory change in your life?
"There was a very big impact directly after Le Mans, but then I continued my normal life again. As regards my career, I was already firmly associated with Audi, and I signed again with them to become an exclusively Audi driver. I travel less between Japan and Europe, am less tired, and more focused on what I do. I'm in a more comfortable situation now."

Can you tell us more about the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro hybrid car ?
"We are still developing the car, but the performance is already quite good. we still have to use it's full potential though. we are not yet 100% ready, and I think that the car can do much more. We have to fully understand this new technology, and there is much work left to do."

What is your prediction for the race this year?
"We don't know much about what the Toyota will be able to achieve. I nooted that they have made a huge step forward on the aerodynamics side. we already know that they are good, they have a strong team, Toyota is a great manufacturer. They have all the tools it takes to win. I think we are going to see a good fight!"

At your level in competition, does the fact that you are running four cars  complicate the task?
"No, not at all. There are two separate teams. we do, of course, cooperate, but we are running different technologies. it's just like two different teams working for the same manufacturer."

So, the aim is to do the same as last year...?
"Not exactly. The aim is to have all four cars to cross the finish line. Me, I'd just love to be on the top step of the podium again. Just finishing the race at Le Mans is a good thing already, because even as a one time winner, you have to be humble when facing this race. We all know just how difficult it is to win this race, and it always also takes a bit of chance to do so, even when you are in the best car!"

David Bristol (translated)

Photo : SEBRING (FLORIDA, UNITED STATES), SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, 12 HOURS OF SEBRING, FREE PRACTICE, MARCH 13, 2012.