![Christian Pescatori (Dallara): "The LMP2 class will be the most competitive [at Le Mans]."](https://www.lemans.org/media/cache/api_news_large/assets/fileuploads/59/36/5936c92453f3a.jpg)
24h Le Mans
The Cetilar Villorba Corse team will be participating for the first time in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the #47 Dallara P217 entered in the LMP2 class. Former driver Christian Pescatori has returned to Le Mans as the Italian team's Sporting Director all while coordinating with Dallara.
What is your role with respect to Dallara?
"I'm Italian, I've worked with Dallara several times and I know a good deal of people. I work with Cetilar Villorba Corse to coordinate the work being done with Dallara. There are quite a few people involved in the prototypes program.
What are Dallara's endurance racing prospects?
"Dallara is dedicated to endurance racing and builds a very beautiful car. The Italian marque developed its own cars in the U.S. (Dallara built the chassis of the Cadillac DPi-V.R competing in the 2017 IMSA season. The car even won the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, Ed.) and for Europe, it was only modified 5%. The base car is therefore very good, and in my opinion, Dallara is aiming high. We are looking to have a good product for races."
What are your thoughts on the LMP2s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
"The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a difficult race. The LMP2 class will be the most competitive, with a lot of cars, 25, but also good drivers. Dallara has done well in long races, we've done considerable testing sessions with the car and developed a low downforce aerodynamic kit. Some teams have already tried it, it's very good. As for Cetilar Villorba Corse, as a team we have significant experience at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There will be three Dallaras at the start, I hope one will reach the podium and it would be great if it was Villorba's (laughs, Ed.)."
What is the status of Dallara's LMP1 project?
"Dallara found a competitive team (the Russian company BR Engineering joined forces with Dallara to build a prototype to be entered by the SMP Racing team in LMP1 in 2018, Ed.) with the budget to do an LMP1 prototype. We have the necessary experience to build a good car, the sponsor was secured, now I believe Dallara is capable of building a very fast car. We think the car will be ready to run in October or November for Cetilar Villorba Corse. When you consider an LMP1 and LMP2, they're not very different. Meanwhile, technically speaking, they are perfectly dissimilar. We will need to find the car's limits quickly in order to work on the aerodynamics and find a good engine so we can get closer to the official teams."
PHOTO (Copyright - Pascal Saivet/VSA): Christian Pescatori has participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times.
