The 22-year-old Italian Kevin Ceccon hasn’t raced since the GP3 series double-header at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi last November, having made a definitive decision to close the door on his single-seater career. At Paul Ricard, he’s making his prototype debut in the #48 Murphy Prototypes Oreca, alongside Jono Coleman and Sean Doyle. DSC caught up with him to learn more about the next chapter of his career.
Kevin, welcome to prototype racing. How have you found it so far?
“It’s good, it’s where I’ve wanted to be since last year when I finished with single-seaters. At the end of the year I said I wouldn’t race them again and people didn’t trust me, but I’ve shown this as I haven’t raced this year until now! Everything is new for me, so I just want to enjoy it and show people that I’m still alive and still quick hopefully!”
What has kept you occupied while not racing?
“I’ve been doing a lot of driver coaching, working with Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, and also training a lot on my bike and running. So everything as normal, really, just not racing.”
You had a somewhat unusual single-seater career, stepping from GP3 to GP2 and then going back to GP3 again, why was that?
“It’s just what happened, really, it’s down to the money and sponsors. I think I had a good career, I achieved what I was able to do and tested the Toro Rosso F1 car at Abu Dhabi in 2011. I can’t say it wasn’t good, I did the maximum possible, I was racing where I was able to, giving 100 percent all the time and using my experience to help the team – which is what I want to keep doing here.”
How have you found the Oreca 03?
“It’s very tough with the power steering, actually. The only time I’ve used power steering before was when I tested the Toro Rosso, which was a long time ago now. It’s difficult at the beginning, I want to put too much strength into the steering wheel, more than is needed, so I’m forcing myself not to do it.
“Visibility is okay with the open car, but the traffic is difficult. It’s not easy to pass cars when there’s such a difference in lap time. I’ve already had some troubles with LMP3 drivers not checking their mirrors.”
This is your first prototype race, but you did make an appearance in GT Open back in 2013, correct?
“Yes, I did the Barcelona round in a Ferrari 458 with Ombra back then, but I was not really able to fight in the race. I qualified the car P3 in the GT3 class, but my team-mate spun at turn three on lap one, so when I got in we were so far back, there was no point in pushing.
“This race is my real first endurance race. I have to say it’s difficult sharing a car, you have to find a compromise with the seat, but luckily me, Sean and Jono are all tall, so it’s okay for us.”
Did your height cause any problems in single-seaters?
“For sure I was not that aerodynamic, especially in GP3, I was touching the car a bit everywhere, my shoulders, my elbows and so on, but it’s fine when the races are short.”
So what’s the plan after this race?
“Let’s see how it goes, if I’m good enough, if team want me again, if I adapt to endurance racing and of course if the budget works out. I want to focus on endurance racing, which I prefer to short distances. I won’t do single-seaters again, but apart from that I don’t mind.
“Obviously I feel more confident in a downforce car like an LMP2 as it’s what I’m used to, but I tested some GTs already over the winter and there are obviously good opportunities there with so many manufacturers involved. Ultimately, I want to be a factory driver, that’s my career goal.”
