You just won at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. You're a young driver, how do you feel after those two victories?
"It's really a special feeling to win these legendary races. I didn't expect to win these two races in my first participation and first appearance in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. I'm trying to take a little time and a step back to appreciate what I've accomplished. There are so many things I hope to do in my career and so to win these two big races already is wonderful! Meanwhile, I'm keeping the same mindset after winning them: to continue to make more and more progress, to think about the future and to win even more. I am happy with what I've just done. I admit after Sebring it took me some time to realize what I'd just achieved but not as much as after Daytona! I am proud to have made a bit of history since as I've said, I'm the first driver to win both races, in my first participation. It's good to know no one will beat me to the punch because certainly someone will do so again some day! Also, it wasn't really expected. I got a phone call at the last minute. I know I'm still young, I'm going to try and add more to my record but I'm already happy with what I've just accomplished."

You've added your name to a list of legendary drivers. What's your reaction to that? It's a little crazy isn't it?
"Yes, absolutely. I have a photo of myself being given a Rolex watch by Tom Kristensen. The four winners received one. When we got them, we posed them on a table with our trophies to take photos for the sponsors and the press. I knew exactly where I had placed mine. When the photographers were finished, Ed (Brown, co-owner of Extreme Speed Motorsport, editor's note) went for my watch and I told him: 'Ed, no, that's my Rolex, the one Tom Kristensen gave me!' I think of these drivers as idols. Tom Kristensen won at the 12 Hours of Sebring six times and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans nine! To accomplish in a small way what they've done before me and to feel what they felt a few years ago is a very special feeling. It's something I will remember throughout my career."

Daytona, Sebring, now Le Mans? Is it possible for you to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans or will it be another story in a few weeks?
"I would like that very much and if ever I win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LM P2, I have no intention of stopping there! I am never satisfied with what I have and I always want more. I know I will go on to win more races but I also know I will lose some. Yes we've added two great races to our record and to win at Le Mans in LM P2 would just be fantastic. Imagine: Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans in the same year...(a big smile shows on Pipo's face, editor's note). Meanwhile, I'm not putting pressure on myself regarding Le Mans. I know it will be very hard to do. We are going to try and do a consistent and solid race all while thinking of the standings in the World Championship since it's a race that counts double points."

To be continued...

David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: STAVELOT (LIEGE PROVINCE, BELGIUM), SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT, FIA WEC, WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, SATURDAY MAY 7 2016, AUTOGRAPH SESSION. Pipo Derani will be one of the big favourites for the win in LM P2 at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.