These ELMS champions that stepped up to WEC – Part I

The European Le Mans Series has long been recognised as important in the development in the careers of teams and drivers wishing to compete at the top of endurance racing, either in the World Endurance Championship or at the 24 Heures du Mans.

Four questions to 2013 ELMS champion Pierre Ragues, driving in 2015 at the wheel of #43 Morgan EVO of Team SARD Morand.

1. You have been successful in the ELMS, what is the goal for 2015 in the WEC?

Yes 2014 has been a successful season with a fantastic win at Ricard as well as another very good podium in Portugal and for this year as usual the goal will be to be as performant as possible. The package is good so our motivation is very strong. The level in LMP2 will be very high and we will need to push all time but without forgetting that the championship is very long and reliability for both drivers and cars shall be the key.

2. How has winning in ELMS prepared you for the challenge of the WEC in 2015?

This 2015 campaign is not my first one in WEC since I was there in 2012 which permit me to gather a lot of experience. It is obvious that when you win it gives you more confidence especially last year in ELMS where the level was very competitive!! On the other hand my 2013 title made me taking another step in my career.

3. The WEC races on some of the best tracks in the world. Of the four circuits not in Europe, which ones have you raced on before and which are you looking forward to the most ?

I will discover Austin and know all the other one, it will be challenging but it’s so exciting and each track has its particularity so I really appreciate all of them.

4. You have raced at the 24 Heures du Mans but does it make any difference to how you approach the race now that you will be scoring double WEC championship points in 2015?

For sure Le Mans is the highlight of the season first as a race and second for the fact that you go for double points scoring. Le Mans is so particular event that above all you need to aim for is the finish avoiding mistakes but if we look at the last 2 years, it has been a real sprint from the start to the finish so I guess that this year we will face again a tough competition. Having said that , the points scored in Le Mans may make a big difference at the end of the season.