These ELMS champions that stepped up to WEC – Part III

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 Nelson Panciatici, 2013 & 2014 ELMS Champion and driver of Signatech Alpine A450b in WEC 2015.

NELSON PANCIATICI Champion ELMS 2013 & 2014, Signatech Alpine A450b en WEC 2015

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

.With two successive ELMS titles, logically we are looking for victories in WEC in 2015. I already raced in WEC with Signatech in 2012 and the experience we had will be useful. The level is very high, but I am very lucky to part of one of the most successful endurance team and to share the car with two very good drivers Paul-Loup Chatin and Vincent Capillaire. We have nothing to envy from the best teams

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

The European Le Mans Series is a great school to go for endurance racing at a higher level. We have learned and experienced that patience is part of the game, but also that such a championship can be won in the long term. Our Alpine A450b has shown to be reliable and at the same the performance are very close to the new generation cars. We have gathered strong experience in ELMS, which will be valuable in the management of our team now entered in the World championship.

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 know Fuji, Shanghai and Bahrain and I like these circuits. In 2012, they did suit our car pretty well. I don’t know Austin, but we are working hard with the elipp6 simulator in order to practice as much as possible and do well.

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?

My approach to the race will be same as previous years, with a lot of humbleness. It’s clearly a race apart from all the others, and a win at Le Mans 24 Hours means a lot to the driver as well as to the team. We will try to win working out strategies as the race goes on. A win at Le Mans is as important as a championship win.

Fonte: http://www.europeanlemansseries.com