How did the last Le Mans 24 Hours go for you?
Everything was going well until we lost a wheel coming out of the pit lane. We still don’t know what happened. The incident cost us five laps. But it could have been worse because when the wheel came off, the car hit the rail. That could have been the end of the race for us. It’s a shame because we were lying second in LM GTE Am and we dropped down to third. But third place was still worth points, which is important for the championship.
 

Talking of the championship, you’re doing well at the moment.
Yes, we’ve had three podiums in the six-hour races and at Le Mans. We are 25 points shy of SMP Racing but the season’s not over yet.
It was your 21st run at Le Mans Does that mean something special to you?
To be honest, no. I don’t think about it much, except when everyone in the paddock mentions it. (laughs)
 

Is there a particular race that stands out in your mind?
Of course. The races with Team Pescarolo. There was a real family spirit in that team. It was a special time. We started in pole position in 2005 and finished on the podium twice, in 2005 and 2007. Everyone remembers those days, when the little team fought back against the big manufacturer (Audi). Then there’s Porsche. We won with the RS Spyder in 2009. (Team Essex, with Casper Elgaard and Kristian Poulsen, Ed.)
 

What are your objectives for the end of the season?
We want to win races and walk away with the championship title at the end of the year. We’ve got the car, the outfit and the team to do so. Things are looking good. We do our best every time and we’ll see how it turns out in the end. Whatever happens, we should be in the top three.
 

You were used to driving Porsches and now you’re at the wheel of a Ferrari F458 Italia. What’s it like?
It’s a nice car to drive – I find it easier to handle than the Porsche with its engine in the overhang. And the gearbox is amazing. You can brake and change down almost straightaway whereas in a Porsche you have to hold off a little. For a professional, that’s good, but for a Silver driver like François (Perrodo, ed.) it makes a big difference. The car always runs well. You just roll it out and it’s ready, whereas the Porsche, is better suited to some courses than others. The Ferrari is at home anywhere.
 

What does 2016 have in store?
There are still three races left to run and we are concentrating on the end of the season. François Perrodo intends to continue with Ferrari next year because this year was a trial. We have been getting to know each other and the car. We reckon it would be good to carry on and go for the top spot next year if we don’t manage it this year.
 

What do you think of AF Corse?
It’s a very professional team. They really know their stuff. They are particularly strong on strategy. Whenever the safety car comes out, they know exactly what to do, how to react. That’s a real advantage.

David Bristol / ACO – Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, MONDAY 8 JUNE 2015, SCRUTINEERING. This year Emmanuel Collard ran his 21st Le Mans 24 Hours.