Paul-Loup Chatin and Vincent Capillaire have something else in common: they both finished in the top 5 in LM P2 as rookies at Le Mans last year, with third place for Chatin, who was already with Signatech Alpine and fourth for Capillaire, with Sébastien Loeb Racing. Capillaire’s excellent European Le Mans Series did not escape Philippe Sinault’s beady eye and the Signatech Alpine team leader offered him a place alongside Nelson Panciatici and Paul-Loup Chatin.

What do you two remember about each other during the ACO competition in 2009?
 

Vincent Capillaire: In 2009 I saw a young lad with a background in go-karting who wanted to have a go at driving a single-seater and try and win the ACO driver competition. I remember that he was very methodical and totally committed. He was quick to learn and performed well. I have good memories of that time and Paul-Loup has come on even more since then!

Paul-Loup Chatin: Vincent is very kind. I have nothing much more to add [smiles] It was great to be able to drive with someone like Vincent and with the other instructors. They shared their experience and their knowledge and helped us progress step by step.

Vincent, you are just starting out in the FIA WEC. It’s the instuctor’s turn to do the learning.
 

Vincent Capillaire: Absolutely. Three years ago I wasn’t racing at all and I took it up again two and a half years ago. It’s a superb opportunity to be racing at an international level and I’m proud to represent Alpine.

Paul-Loup , did you already have the Le Mans 24 Hours in mind when you entered the ACO competition in 2009?

Paul-Loup Chatin: No, not at all. I entered for fun. I’d never even sat in the cockpit of a racing car. I just wanted to try, to see how it would turn out.

Vincent Capillaire: When you are an ACO instructor, you definitely have Le Mans in mind because you are on site and totally involved in the race. For me it was a professional target, a sporting target and a childhood dream. Racing at Le Mans is a holy grail for all of us.

Last year you weren’t teammates but you were both Le Mans rookies.

Vincent Capillaire: It was a really intense week. You get to actually race on the part of the circuit that is usually public roads, to drive at amazing speeds and take some very unusual corners. I was lucky to be able to drive for Sébastien Loeb Racing, a team that was new to Le Mans.

Paul-Loup Chatin: Vincent summed it up very well. I would say that it’s not just one intense week, but two, because it all starts with the Test Day. It’s a fabulous circuit, with some really fast corners that are very demanding. You need to know how to go fast but to stay on the track and manage the traffic. It was great to be with Signatech Alpine because we were aiming to win.
Were you under more pressure because you were driving for such well-known names as Sébastien Loeb and Alpine?

Vincent Capillaire: Of course, the impact is enormous. Both are household names in France and beyond and are dear to fans.

Paul-Loup Chatin: On the one hand Sébastien Loeb, one of France’s greatest sports personalities. On the other hand Alpine, a marque that has been the stuff of dreams for a long time now, and not just in France. You have to have the utmost respect for the magnificent drivers who have raced for Alpine. You have more weight on your shoulders because of that, but it also brings out the best in you, especially as we are playing a part in the comeback. The adrenaline flows even more freely.

Jean-Philippe Doret /ACO               Translated from French by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY MAY 31, 2015, TEST DAY. Paul-Loup Chatin (at the wheel on this picture) and Vincent Capillaire team up with Nelson Panciatici.