Photo : LAURENT CARTALADE / VSA

 

What are thoughts about your ELMS 2014 season?
Tristan Gommendy: "We maintained a high level of performance throughout the year. We were always in a position to win. Unfortunately, several times we had to abandon just before the finish line, even though we were in the lead. Every time, there were issues that had nothing to do with the team, things were beyond our control. Things were positive overall though, because the team did an excellent job. The three drivers got on very well together. The technical discussions between the drivers and the team were spot-on. All the conditions we right for us to take the title. In the end, it didn't happen, that's the way it is and we're now looking ahead to 2015."

The high point of the 2014 season has to be the Le Mans 24 Hours, doesn't it?
"That's right, it was THE most positive thing about the season with our pole position, the second best race lap and the second place on the LM P2 podium, even if victory escaped us by 28 seconds, which is always somewhat frustrating."

How do you see the 2015 season?
"We're starting out just as motivated as ever, if not more so. We've got a new car with the Oreca 05 and we've got great confidence in this constructor, based in the south of France. It's now down to us to live up to the expectations everyone has with this new car!"

What are your goals for this new year?
"We're highly positive and our goals are clear: the ELMS title and victory at Le Mans! Those are the only goals we can allow ourselves, given the car and the team we have."

Apart from the car, the team remains the same (with Ludovic Badey and Pierre Thiriet) and you are sticking with the same engine (Nissan) and tyre (Dunlop) suppliers. Is it important for you to ensure that kind of continuity?
"It's very important and it often makes all the difference. It will be one of our strengths. We are set to receive the car in early March so we can run it in a bit before the championship begins. We'll try and pinpoint any teething troubles as early as possible and remedy them wherever necessary. We're very confident in Oreca's capacity for reaction, since they have nothing to prove as a constructor."

As a driver, how do you approach the first drive out in a brand new car?
"We first take stock. The first 100 laps with a car are extremely important and will determine 90% of the work that needs doing over the rest of the year. We will be focusing on the balance of the car, the areas we’d like to develop most and any areas for improvement. These improvements will take 6 months: there is no room for error because this is what determines whether a season will be successful or not. You need to retain a certain degree of humility with a new car."

You mentioned victory at Le Mans. How will you be approaching the race, given the high quality of the line-up?
"The same way as last year! There were already 16 or 18 of us in LM P2. There's not that much change with the LM P2 line-up at Le Mans. If we want to win, we have to beat everyone. We're going to take pole position and I don't see any reason why we won't come away with a great result!"

David Bristol / Translation Clair Pickworth

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24-HOUR CIRCUIT, LE MANS 24 HOURS, THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2014, QUALIFYING SESSIONS. Tristan Gommendy will try to grab pole position again for Thiriet by TDS Racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.