‘Pipo’ Derani is the latest highly rated single-seater driver to switch to LMP racing as he joins Murphy Prototypes this weekend at Paul Ricard alongside Rodolfo Gonzalez and Nathanaël Berthon.
After finishing 2013 impressively with a podium at Macau, it has been a tough season for the 20-year old, as a planned Indy Lights programme hit the buffers earlier this year due to budget issues. A brief change to Star Mazda didn’t work out and since then the Paulista has looked seriously at endurance racing and like many top single-seater racers has taken the plunge in to prototypes. He arrives with a very good reputation and is categorised as a gold driver.
How did the deal with Murphy Prototypes transpire?
I have actually been talking to Greg (Murphy) for a long time, since last year in fact. I went to the workshops last year and we had a good talk. He’s a really nice guy who is massively enthusiastic about the team. I think everyone knows that, don’t they.
Greg said ‘look, how are things going’. It was right at the time I was having difficulties in the states, so I was looking at alternatives. That led to the Snetterton test and it went very well. So, here we are and I am happy because the team is good and is a proven winner.
I also saw what the team and Greg did for Brendan Hartley. That is very attractive, to learn and get results in this environment and know the team have elevated someone in to a manufacturer role. I think that this has built a path for other drivers like me to follow.
Paul Ricard seems like the ideal place to make an LMP2 debut?
Yes, I love Ricard. It was challenging in an F3 car so I think that in an LMP2 it will be awesome. I think it is probably the best place to make a debut in a sports car because the run-off is so large and you do not have that fear of going off while you are learning.
I know what the car feels like after the Snetterton test last month. I will be finding the limits quickly because Ricard allows you to do that. At the end of the day, the team did a great job at the test earlier this year and won in 2013. I think we will be very competitive. The race will for sure have some elements that are new to me but I will be as well prepared as possible going in to it.
The group effort really appeals to me. I will for the first time be racing with two other drivers so sometimes saving the tyres and brake to make sure the car is handed over in good shape will be important.
What do you want to achieve in endurance racing?
I really look up to guys like ‘Mr Le Mans’ – Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. What they achieved after they switched from single-seaters is an inspiration to guys like me.
Even today we see drivers like Harry Tincknell making a good name for himself in endurance racing. I competed with Harry in F3 and I have seen the success he has had this year. I am following and I think the decision to go in to sportcars is the right one for me at this point in time.
You know, I have watched over and over again those films, Truth in 24 Hours, about the Audi effort at Le Mans in 2008 and 2011. It is fascinating because it tells you how the drivers operate at a very high level. It gives you a good idea of the focus and how far the driver looks ahead to different scenarios and how they react. For sure this weekend I will be asking lot of questions to the team and learning, learning, learning. I am really looking forward to it all.
And ‘Pipo’? What is the story there?
In Brazil, there are a few nicknames for Felipe, which is part of my full name (Luis-Felipe). When I was born my Dad started calling me ‘Pipo’ and when I became a race driver in karts everyone said it would be a nice name and would stand out more than Luis-Felipe. People remember, so it was a good idea!
Sam Smith
