Jeff, last year in your first participation you claimed the third step on the podium, and this year you moved up two spots. A year to learn and a year to win?

"Yes, it was really incredible that we managed to reach the podium in our first attempt, and then amazingly took the victory in our second. You really couldn’t ask for a better effort than that, and I give full credit to the team for these results. In the first year, we arrived very humble but understood the size of the challenge that was in front of us. Le Mans is a totally unique event, and particularly for our team since we race mainly in IMSA instead of the FIA WEC, there is so much to learn. We approached the first year with an open mind, and a strategy to survive without taking too much risk. For the second year, we took the lessons learned, and returned with a strategy to take some calculated risk, to increase the speed and the intensity, and to push for the victory. In the end, everything went perfectly, which is quite unusual in endurance racing! But it was incredibly satisfying for everyone."

How did you feel during the last stint?

"At the end of the race, the feeling was surprisingly calm. We had a very trouble-free run throughout the race, so we were fortunate to be in a position where we had a nice gap to the following cars, and this give us some margin for comfort if we had any issues. Of course, as we saw with the P1 battle this year, sometimes it doesn’t matter how close you are to the finish line or how big the gap is, sometimes things are totally out of your control. But I don’t think that anyone imagines or prepares for a heartbreak like that, so our focus was on being consistent, being careful, and being smart all the way to the finish. The last laps in the car weren’t very stressful, but rather just ultra-focused on taking one corner at a time, and not putting the car at risk. Crossing the finish line I really appreciated the full cool-off lap as it was really nice to take a lap at slow speed after celebrating with the team over the radio, to really enjoy the experience and savor the feeling. Seeing the passion of the fans and the marshals standing on the circuit waving flags while we drive at low speed is the best way to really understand the magic of Le Mans."

What does the 24 Hours of Le Mans mean to you?

"Le Mans is simply the summit of all sports car racing. Every driver worldwide knows Le Mans, and what a tremendous privilege it is just to be invited to compete there. Le Mans represents the very best of the best. At Le Mans you find the finest teams, running the most sophisticated cars, with the best drivers in the world, on what has to be one of the most challenging circuits still used. When I started racing, I recall watching the Ferrari 550 Maranello 'GT1' cars racing at Le Mans and thinking, ‘one day I must do that!’ Now looking back and seeing that I’ve not only participated in the race, but also won behind the wheel of a Ferrari, it is a really incredible feeling. As satisfying as it is, it leaves you wanting more of the same."

Exactly, after a podium finish and a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, what's the next step?

"Of course I think the next challenge is to try and do it again! After experiencing Le Mans one time, I knew that my top priority was to return and compete there again. This race is one of a kind, and an unbelievable experience from start to finish. There is no feeling like standing on that podium and seeing so many spectators, so much passion for this sport, and feeling the satisfaction of a job well done. I hope to return again, to challenge for many more wins in the future!"

This year you also won at the 12 Hours of Sebring, in the GTD class. How is the Le Mans victory different?

"Sebring was a great accomplishment, particularly as it was the first major victory worldwide for the new Ferrari 488, but for me Le Mans brings much more personal satisfaction. If I could only do one race each year it would definitely be Le Mans, so this win really means everything to me!"

Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

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