Oliver Jarvis isn’t a Le Mans veteran yet, but 2013 will see his third start at the 24 Hours after a debut in 2010 aboard a Kolles Audi R10 TDI and a first appearance for the factory squad last season.
2013 has also seen the Englishman with a busy schedule both in the LMP car and in Audi’s GT racing programme too with the R8 LMS – Jarvis was part of the crew that took the win for Audi at Sebring in March, following on from a GT Class win with AJR at the Rolex 24 Hours too, so not a bad start to the year, and not a bad calling card, underlining his driving credentials in two very different cars.
“Absolutely and completely different, the R18 E-tron Quattro is a really tight and well rounded package with big and very effective aero whilst the R8 LMWS Ultra is a great car it does rely far more on its mechanical grip levels and moves around a lot more than the LMP car.
“It isn’t always easy to make an instant transition and, if I’m honest, it is the GT speed that likely suffers more because of it, or rather the time to adapt in that direction is rather more than stepping into the LMP after driving the R8. Driving styles are totally different, the physical effort too and that’s just down to the relative speed, and in particular the downforce.
There’s little doubt though that the Le Mans 24 Hours is the main event:
“Le Mans is absolutely the centrepiece of what I have been doing and what the team has been doing since leaving there last year.
“A lot of the development and much of the testing has been focused on this one race, that’s a lot of effort and resource and a lot of hard work too from teams behind the scenes.
“We have had a lot of testing too but that doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of time in the car – a full day, with the associated checks and changes being made to the car might see each of us getting only a couple of hours at the wheel.”
So is there any question at all of a pecking order between the three cars, in particular taking into consideration the fact that the #1 and #2 cars are full WEC entries?
Absolutely not, Audi has always approached these races without team orders and Le Mans in particular, whilst it is a part of the WEC is seen too as an important standalone event. Their approach to allowing the cars to race is very impressive. Last year we finished ahead of the #2 car at Spa, despite the fact that in doing so we took WEC points from the delayed #2 car. At Sebring this year we won ahead of the new car in our year old R18. the team could easily have overruled that but there was never a hint that they would.”
So after starting in the DTM with Audi, moving on to the GT and now LMP programmes, where would you like to see your future?
“I was over the moon to get the opportunity to race in DTM but honestly I always had an eye on Le Mans and the LMP programme. Of course I’d love to be a part of the WEC effort but Audi has so many top quality drivers its tough to see where that opportunity will come from any time soon.”
Have you got an eye on anyone else’s seat?
(With a chuckle in his voice!) “Well I keep trying to encourage Allan and Tom to retire but the problem s that they are just so damn fast and so driven that doesn’t look like happening any time soon. Seriously though that’s not a solution that appeals to me. In the short-term its about getting your own credentials in order, doing it on the track and in testing.”
So do you see yourself a something of a pioneer for the current intake of talent from the top levels of single seaters?
“For me it was a little different from some – I always knew that I didn’t have the backing I would need to get to Formula One. Of course you can dream about it and I did, but my first realistic aim was to find a way to have as long a career as possible as a professional racing driver.
“I couldn’t have been more delighted when I got the call from Audi, there was no question in my mind and it opened my eyes to the potential.
“I think others, when they get the blinkers off that are just so F1 focused, are really surprised at the standard of teams, cars and drivers in Endurance racing. There are very worthwhile and, more to the point longer, career tracks there now, in particular with the WEC, with Blancpain and with so many standalone events on the calendar now. And the cars are really cool too!!
“As for working with Audi – It’s amazing. I was standing in the garage during the Test Day and was looking around at the people, the kit and the way it is all used so professionally. They are easily comparable to the best of the F1 teams with what achieve with the resource that they have.
So how much would a win at Le mans mean to you?
“I can’t really put it into words. It’s the absolute pinnacle of my ambition now, a dream come true if it happens after a lot of years working hard towards it.
“In career terms too it would be a massive step, you’re instantly seen in a different light in the sport, and even within the team. It would be huge, enormous, and I want it very badly indeed!”
GG
