How is your debut in the World Endurance Championship going?

"I must say I'm pleased. I didn't do Silverstone to win, I have to admit. It was my first race in the FIA WEC and we were looking for a podium finish, but the victory was unexpected. I am very happy about it, it gives me even more motivation for the remainer of the season. At Spa-Francorchamps, we finished third in LMP2. We are leading the championship, the car runs well and the driver trio works well together."

What does Oliver Jarvis, your teammate and former LMP1 driver for Audi, bring to the table?

"He brings something to every domain: the race, tire management and handling the weekend. He's truly a well-rounded driver. I'm lucky because Ho-Pin Tung (the third driver in the line-up, Ed.) is the same. I know him well from the two seasons in the Asian Le Mans Series I spent with him."

With the win in LMP3 at the 2016 Estoril round, one in the Asian Le Mans Series and one on the FIA WEC at Silverstone a little more than a month ago. What is your end goal?

"To win the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of my main goals. I want to make an impression in my first season in the World Endurance Championship so several teams look to me for next year as I do want to win an FIA WEC title. I'm young, I have sponsors, but I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I am looking for a professional career that will allow me to make a living."

You were born in the Pays de Loire region of France, and Le Mans has always brought you luck: Karting KZ2 World Champion and the win at Road to Le Mans last June. Is the 24 Hours of Le Mans special to you?

"The 24 Hours of Le Mans is special to me. Every time I've been to Le Mans, I've pretty much won: the KZ French Cup (karting, Ed.), the World Cup in KZ, the 2016 Road To Le Mans, second in the Porsche Carrera Cup last year as well. It's true those seem like omens that make me even more of a believer this year. Now the car just needs to be reliable and the drivers need to avoid mistakes. We are working toward a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a win would be even better for a first season effort."

Do you fear the 24 Hours of Le Mans?"

"Not at all! I'm not the type to get stressed out and I think a driver such as Oliver Jarvis (six participations, Ed.) will help me a great deal at Le Mans because he knows the track by heart. With myself the exception, the driver line-up has plenty of experience (Ho-Pin Tung has four participations, Ed.), so I'm in good hands."

Do you have any particular way of preparing for Le Mans and the week, the night, the race itself?

"We have done intense training (see article) with the team (see the tweet below) and the six drivers. I've never driven at night so I don't know what it's like, but I know it will be an experience. I can't wait to experience the night and atmosphere at Le Mans: Scrutineering, the Drivers' Parade, the crowd..."

What are your thoughts on the race, with 25 LMP2s at the start?

"To me, it will be the class to watch. Sure, there is a third Toyota in LMP1 for the overall win, but LMP2 is going to be out of this world."

Photo (Copyright - Pascal Saivet/VSA): Thomas Laurent will take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time.