Richard Westbrook and Loïc Duval are one half of the 2022 Rolex 24 Hours effort from JDC Miller in the #5 Cadillac DPi. Between them, the pair have huge, factory-level experience with big race and Championship wins, multiple factory programmes, and with racing styles that truly excite (as Richard again showed in the qualifying race at the Roar).
Richard, what do you think, against the two-car giant teams, that you guys are going to bring to the party?
“We’ve got the same equipment and we’ve got a lot of talent in the team on the engineering side and on the crew as well. So you know, we’ve got the same tools, so we’ve just got to use them just as well, if not better than the two big teams that you’re talking about.
“I see no reason why we can’t go into this feeling confident. It’s a fresh start and the team already proved they can do it at endurance level after winning Sebring last year, which is huge. So yeah, I think plenty of reasons to be confident.”
Loic, you’ve driven just about everything in sportscar racing, how good is this Cadillac?
“It’s awesome, honestly, to drive.
“I mean, I’m always thinking when I’m here at Daytona, I remember what I’ve been driving in the past and stuff like that. Just as an example, you know, the traction control that we have is awesome. The car itself, it’s pretty nice to drive, the handling and the power is good. So that’s why I love it.
“I did Daytona for the first time, I think in 2017, but with a P2, and since then I’ve been able to drive a DPi. And yeah, it’s a race and a championship and with cars which are great.
“And to be honest, since I’m in the Cadillac, I’m really enjoying the racing here even more than before. It’s good fun. It’s something quite unique, to be honest. And it’s going to be the last year for these cars and we don’t know what the cars next year will be like. So I think it makes sense to enjoy it.”
Both of you are already playing a part in this revolution that is coming in sportscar racing.
Richard, you first with the season last year with Glickenhaus? It was it’s a relatively small budget car. It’s a beautiful car, you’re both part of programmes in the same ruleset. But those cars couldn’t be more different. Tell us a little bit about the adventure so far and, in particular, what was an extraordinary run at Le Mans?
“Well, first of all, I’ve got to correct you here, it wasn’t a small budget. He spent a lot of money and I have to say every single dime went on the car.
“There was no big money on communications. Everything comes from Jim’s own private account. Hospitality or the PR, that was all very organic. Every single penny went on the car, and it was a lot of money.
“You got Formula One level outfits involved – Sauber did the aero, an ex-F1 designer designed the car. Podium who are very clever, built the car.
“People have the perception that was a small budget team, but it wasn’t. He got everything right and yeah, as you alluded to, Le Mans was a fantastic result and sort of justified the whole thing. But honestly, as you know, we were all a little a little bit disappointed at Le Mans.
“We’re all racers and we wanted to be fighting at the front and the gap to Toyota, particularly in the rain and when the track was green was just too big. It was like 13 seconds in the rain and that simply isn’t right, isn’t fair in a BoP formula.
“I don’t want to go too deeply into BoP it’s very, very difficult to balance the two very, very different concepts. But certainly, when the track evolved, the car felt really good towards the end of the reason.”
Switching to you Loic, and to a car, you’re going to be driving later this year. It comes from the same rulebook but it really couldn’t be more different.
First things first, have you had a chance to drive the Peugeot 9×8 yet?
“Yeah, two days ago for the first time. We’ve been testing in the south of Spain but you know, it’s just a newborn baby and we have to go through a lot of stuff as always when a car hits the ground for the first time.
“It’s a super exciting moment. First of all, because of the era that is going to go through it’s something really special with the number of cars and constructors we’re going to have.
“And, to be honest, I mean, the best car I drove at Le Mans was the (Peugeot) 908. That’s where I enjoyed the most the track so hopefully, it is going to be something similar with the 9×8 and yeah I am really looking forward to it.
“It’s good to work with this group of people. As a French guy, it’s nice to be also together with a French constructor. And I’m really looking forward to it. So far everything is going according to plan.
You’ve been part of multiple high level programmers. What is it like being part of this lead up to 2023. You’re going to be in that car at some point in ’22. But in 2023, we’re going to see multiple factory cars in WEC, and here in the US, it must be a really exciting moment?
“Motivation is sky-high, to be honest. I mean, it was difficult to swallow when Audi stopped the endurance programme at the end of 2016.
“I didn’t achieve everything I wanted to do at Le Mans and in sportscar racing in general. So it was difficult to swallow it and having the opportunity to go back in the top category with Peugeot, a constructor that I’ve worked with, in a way, when I was together with Oreca, and the 908.
“The motivation is super high, even for them at Peugeot, you know that they stopped also the 908 programme in a way that was not easy for everyone that was involved. So yeah, the whole group is super motivated and is pushing really hard.
“We know that it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be difficult because the opposition is going to be really, really competitive. But we also know that we have the chance to live that dream, and we’re going to do everything to make sure we end up having what we want, which is a win for the championship and for Le Mans.”
