Photo : Michel JAMIN / ACO

 

How do you feel about your 2014 season?
Christian Klien: "It is my first full European Le Mans Series season and I must say I enjoyed it very much. It is a super championship with good drivers and teams. It was a competitive season as shown by the many different winners (five in as many rounds, editor's note). At each race, you had to be on the ball, make no mistakes in order to hope for a win. In terms of the team, at each race, we were in the race for the victory. In the meantime, we made a few mistakes. At Imola, for example, we were unlucky in terms of reliability. But that's motorsports! We won in Castellet and here in Estoril, that's a good thing to have claimed a podium finish once again. Also, we finished in the top three in the Team standings. That is a great satisfaction for the team which competed in its second season. I arrived at the end of 2013 and since the NewBlood by Morand Racing has not stopped developing and progressing."

A few months ago, you competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What do you remember about the 2014 edition?
"Le Mans was another story! For this race, we needed to have a driver line-up with three good drivers to fight for victory. We had the car and the team to do it, but not the drivers…For me, it was a frustrating edition. The team knows now that it must have a good driver line-up if it wants to win its class. Don't forget it's the hardest race in the world!"

What are NewBlood by Morand Racing's and your projects for the 2015 season?
"The team would like to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship! Before that, a few factors must come together. Meanwhile, the team is headed in the right direction. For me, I also see myself in the World Championship next year because it's the championship all drivers dream of competing in."

You have a significant career, but are there races you dream to do?
"Yes, there are a lot of big Endurance races I would love to do! I love driving prototypes, whether it be LM P1 or LM P2. My dream would be to return to LM P1 as a factory driver!"

Interview by David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 15 2014, RACE. Christian Klien is satisfied with his 2014 season, even though this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans was no cake-walk.