24h Le Mans
Olivier Pla was at Le Mans Classic last weekend as a guest of Ford France. The French driver is involved in three racing programmes including, of course, Ford’s WEC GTE Pro offensive. He finished fourth in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the #66 Ford that he shares with Stefan Mücke and Billy Johnson.
You are back at Le Mans this weekend for Le Mans Classic. In hindsight, how do you feel about your 24 Hours?
“I'm disappointed for our crew – we lost two laps because our number back lighting was not working. After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford sent us the full race analysis and we were clearly on pace with the leaders and as good as the #68. But that's the way things go. The regulations meant we were forced to pit, which cost us two laps and a better result. We did our job though.”
Are you disappointed with your own result or just pleased about Ford’s win?
“Even though we didn’t win with the #66, I’m delighted that Ford triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s an excellent programme with an amazing car. They’ve built us a very impressive machine. They were right to grab the opportunity. The whole team has been working extremely hard from the outset to develop the car and give it the necessary performance. When you are familiar with Ford’s history at Le Mans and aware that this was the constructor’s big comeback, and you see them take the win, it’s just fabulous. Everything is going very well with Ford and there is plenty more good stuff ahead.”
Your race also demonstrated just how competitive the LM GTE Pro class is.
“Exactly! People kept asking me if switching from LM P1 to LM GTE wasn’t a step backwards, but I don’t see it like that at all! I am with a manufacturer, which is the ultimate goal of any professional driver. I’m involved in a works programme, we mustn’t forget that. When you see the level of the drivers, the constructors and the teams entered in LM GTE Pro, the class is as every bit impressive as LM P1. This is my first year in LM GTE Pro but I’ve always kept on eye on what’s going on in the class, so I wasn’t surprised by the competitiveness of the other manufacturers. Nothing can be left to chance and the slightest fault comes at a very high cost. Things are very intense. I love driving this car and racing in this class.”
To be continued...
