Peugeot cautiously optimistic
Jean-Eric Vergne believes that the 2024-spec Peugeot 9X8 has shown signs of performance improvements since its debut in Imola.
However, the French team still searching for a good result and hopes it will come at home, in La Sarthe.
“We had a lot of work done with the team,” said Vergne while on stage with Bruno Vandestick at the Place de la République yesterday. “We are reaching Le Mans with a brand-new car. We have done our best to be able to win. It’s our dream. Drivers, mechanics, engineers are all working hard to make that dream come true.
“So, I feel confident. There are many things that we have improved. We have a better understanding of how the car works. It’s easy to notice that we have a rear wing now. It makes a difference. Grip came from the underfloor in the older car. Now, we have a little less grip coming from the underfloor and a little more grip coming from the rear wing.
“Overall, it’s not a massive change to manage for the driver. (In fact) the car is better balanced with bigger rear wheels and smaller front wheels. It is also more stable in fast corners and faster in the straights. We were experiencing excessive drag last year, top speed was (really) something we were lacking.”
Nico Mueller echoed his thoughts. “You can feel that the 9X8 performs well. We feel good at its wheel. The car reacts well to set-up changes. We went through a few 24-hour tests before coming over here. We got a good sense of what to expect on track.”
Paul Di Resta did too and believes Peugeot a top three finish is achievable. “We have a chance to stand on the podium if we execute everything perfectly,” he said. “But you come to Le Mans to win the race and not only to finish on the podium. That should be the ambition!”
Derani has sights set on pole with Action Express
Action Express driver Pipo Derani was questioned about his expectations for the Cadillac team in its second Le Mans start and the opportunity to score pole position in three prestigious races (Daytona/Sebring/Le Mans) this season.
“We’ve been very humble. We’ve had so much success on the other side of the Atlantic. We have our feet on the ground. It’s difficult. Your success over there (in the US) does not mean that you will be successful over here.
“It would be fantastic for us to have a competitive car do that. Being here last year made us improve and learn a lot about the event as a team. 2023 was not easy. We had to learn from the first practice onwards, all the way to the end of the race so if we can use all this learning, apply it from the very beginning and start (this event) the right way, then we hope we can have a car that is more competitive for qualifying.
“It will be difficult, but we’ll do the best we can, be it for a top five or a pole. I would love to take that newly invented triple crown though! We will see how it goes.”
Ilott excited for Le Mans debut
HERTZ Team JOTA’s Callum Illot is eager for track action to get underway at La Sarthe ahead of his first Le Mans start. He and the team head into the race high on confidence after winning last time out at Spa.
“We’ve been in the Hyperpole every time this season so we would like to continue that,” he said. “We have a very fast car. It should be good but it’s my first experience here, in an Hypercar at Le Mans. I’m excited to set some fast laps.
“It’s a very complicated car. It’s a lot of technology – somewhat like Formula 1 hybrid units. It’s also quite a heavy car. So it’s a mix – it’s about driving the car like a GT but at the speed of an Hypercar or an old LMP1. It’s an impressive car. The driving style is very aggressive… a lot more than I expected (if you want to be able) to push the car to the limit. It can be on the edge sometimes”.
Jenson Button was also asked for his thoughts on JOTA’s chances up against the factory Penske 963s.
“Ours look a lot better (he laughs). As far as we know, it’s the same. That’s what’s great about WEC and Endurance racing. The private teams can race against the OEMs. We proved it. Proton was also quick at Spa. So was AF Corse. There is every chance that we can take it to the manufacturers.”
