After three years at the wheel of an LM P2 Matthiew Lahaye enters the big league, thanks to OAK Racing.

Matthew, your team has decided to entrust its LM P1 to participate in ILMC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What do you think?

"I always hoped for this moment. It is a logical next step for me and for the team. In my experience of LM P2 I learned a lot. It has given us a good reservoir of expertise to address this category . And the rule change this year, it is quite favorable to us compared to that applied last year, in LM P2."

What are your goals for this year?

"We approach this subject quite humbly. Our first goal is to establish our position among the privateers and we are ready for it. We have excellent material to do that. But only our first race next March 19 to 12 Hours of Sebring during the first round of the ILMC, we will place ourselves in relation to competition. In terms of Le Mans, the race remains the event of the year for constructor and driver. We can see from last year, it is clear that nothing is ever certain but we must stay focused on goals. "

Have you driven the car yet?

"Not yet; Guillaume Moreau and Pierre Ragues, my teammates in ILMC and Le Mans have conducted tyre testing and some tests related to the technical development of the car. I think the end of February, I should get a session to get familiar with it. "

Just four months before the next 24 hours of Le Mans, have you any predictions?

"We'll see after the practice session but I think there will be no big surprises. The Audi-Peugeot duel will take place. The R18 is very beautiful and very powerful and even if the 908 is based on what is known, I think the engineerswill have taken a minimum of risk. But going by our performance in past years, OAK could well lie in wait behind and, why not consider a podium in our first year in LM P1. This that would be great for the team! "

Interview by T.A

Photo: Matthieu Lahaye will drive the entire 2011 ILMC in an OAK LM P1.