On Your Marks! Get Set! Go!

no36 Signatech Alpine – Alpine A450-Nissan : Paul-Loup Chatin (PLC), Nelson Panciatici (NP), Oliver Webb (OW) - 68 Points

PLC: “The ELMS championship is very hot this year, with very competitive teams. I'm looking forward to Estoril to be able to fight on the track and do everything possible to help the Signatech-Alpine team retain their title.”

NP: “The competition is tough but I am confident because the whole Signatech-Alpine team is motivated to succeed and everyone has worked hard for it! With my team mates, Paul Loup and Oliver, we have showed many times that we were capable of strong performances. Personally I will not be focusing on the title going into this race but, as usual, with the goal of winning and there will be time to revise our strategy accordingly, but the most important thing will be to be ahead of our opponents vying for the title!”

OW: “It's a very hard year and a really competitive one which means to win this year will be the best feeling again some amazing competition.”

What would winning the ELMS title mean to you?

PLC: “Winning the championship would be something special for me. After winning the title last year, this would be the perfect follow up in my career as an endurance driver in order to continue my development and hopefully achieve yet more.  Moreover, it would be the best way to thank the whole Signatech-Alpine team which has done an outstanding job since the beginning of the season.” 

NP: “If we win, I hope that the title will allow me to join a factory team in LMP1 because that's my immediate goal it's my short-term goal, with victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in my sights.  I feel ready after three years with Signatech who have taught me about the spirit of endurance racing and trained me in the basics of the discipline! This would be my second title which would make the emotions even more intense!” 

OW: “It would mean everything to me as it's my first year in endurance, as a factory driver and with a French team. It's been the best racing year of my life.”

What are your strengths as a team that will give you the best chance to win the ELMS title?

PLC: “The team's strong points are many.  First of all, the experience of everyone in the Signatech-Alpine team allows us to arrive totally ready and prepared for this final race, and we are also three quick drivers who all like the car to behave in the same way which allows us to optimise the set up. But it is mainly the bond between Nelson, Oliver and me that is our strength; we are good friends with a common goal and that is probably our greatest strength.” 

NP: “Hard work, questioning everything, responsiveness, teamwork and the expertise of everyone in the team. This gives us top pit stops and a high-performing car; in short, it is a top team!” 

OW: “Our strengths as a team are that we have all the same speed, it's crazy how close we all get in pace and fuel consumption, racing strategy and driving style. We all work great together as a team and Signatech Alpine has been an amazing Team  to work with .”

This year's ELMS title is even harder than last year's as you are 10 drivers for one title. How do you feel before the last race ?

HT: "I'm feeling really good. We've been competitive at every race and Estoril should suit our car much more than the previous race at Paul Ricard. I'm feeling very happy with the season, we've had fantastic results and can go into the last race with maximum attack and no pressure. Of course it will be very tough, but we have what it takes to qualify on pole and win the race.

FA: "I'm feeling very excited before the final race at Estoril. These are the moments that a racing driver lives for. The final race is where all the hard work of the year is at stake. The pressure on each mechanic, engineer and driver is high and who controls that tension the better will take it all.

SD: "The team and I are feeling great in so much as we love being the ones chasing. We did the same at Le Mans this year. We have nothing to lose and therefore can go flat out to win.

What would winning the ELMS title mean to you?

HT: "It would mean a lot to win the ELMS in my first year racing in Sportscars. I've learnt an incredible amount since I signed with JOTA and I'm looking forward to trying to seal the title this weekend. However, we've already achieved our main target by winning the Le Mans 24 Hours, so whatever happens at Estoril it has been a brilliant year. To win both would be special.

FA: "Winning the ELMS title would mean a lot to me for many reasons. I would win it as a 'Rookie' in the series. It would be a title in my debut in sportscar endurance racing after years in 'sprint' races and of course, it would be winning a title in front of my home crowd, I would never forget nor the Portuguese people. 

SD: "To win Le Mans and ELMS in the same season would be an incredible achievement and a testament to the hard work everyone at JOTA Sport puts in year round.”

What are your strengths as a team that will give you the best chance to win the ELMS title?  

HT: "We have a very strong car on a circuit like Estoril that demands a lot of traction and down force from the car in order to be quick. The whole team has been preparing very hard and we had a good test at Monza a few weeks ago. We have a very strong driver line up with Simon always solid during his three stints during the race and he is improving with every day we work together while it is Filipe's home race so there is no doubt he will be super quick on a circuit he knows well in front of his home crowd."

FA: "We have a fantastic team spirit and everyone is full of confidence. It's already been an incredible year for JOTA Sport having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the ELMS title would be the icing on the cake!"

SD: "We have amazing strength in depth in our team. Everyone is incredibly talented and always gives 100% so whether its strategy, reliability or driving we know we have the best package."

No43 Newblood by Morand Racing Morgan Judd : Christian Klien (CK), Gary Hirsch (GH) - 50 Points

The 2014 ELMS Championship is more competitive than in 2013 and 10 drivers are vying for one title.  How do you feel going into this final race?

CK: “The championship is stronger this year, although I only raced in the last two races last year. We saw many different race winners this year, the combination of Gold, Silver and Bronze drivers is very important and we seemed to have a strong combination since Red Bull Ring with Pierre Ragues on board. But the main thing is that the Morand Racing Team is now a regular competitor for race victories, it's great to see how much we have improved and have grown together.”

 GH: “The championship is highly competitive and we are approaching the final round very calmly, knowing that the pressure is not on our shoulders as the outcome of the championship doesn't only depend on us.  We are ready, with the team, to go for this title and I am approaching this race like any other and am focused on the task at hand. Last year we won the LMPC title with Paul-Loup Chatin and this year we will be taking the start as rivals, it is quite nice.

2) What does this title mean to you and what will you do with it?

CK: “We still have a small chance to win the title. Without the technical failure in Imola 5 min to the end of the race we would lead the championship, but this is Motorsport. It would be of course a great success for the whole team to win the ELMS title in their second year in the Championship! We will try the maximum to achieve that, but it is not totally in our hands since Alpine has a 18 points lead on us.”

GH: “Let's work that out once the finish line has been crossed on Sunday night.  I'll be able to answer then.”

3) What are the team's strong points to achieve this?

CK: “We don't have much pressure going to Estoril, we are 3rd in the championship and we come with a race win to the event. We know we are strong and we use the momentum to win the final race of the season. We are going to do the math after the race and see where we are. But to finish in the top 3 of the championship has to be our target.”

GH: “We have worked to be competitive from the outset.  With Christian and Pierre, what each of us brings to the programme is well defined and we each make a contribution which allows us to have a very strong race car but also figure in qualifying. You can be sure of a great team which had a faultless race at Paul Ricard. This recent win is certainly a significant factor in our approach for this last race.

No34 Race Performance Oreca 03 – Judd : Michel Frey (MF), Franck Mailleux (FM) - 45 Points

This year's ELMS title is even harder than last year's as you are 10 drivers for one title. How do you feel before the last race?

MF: “We are having a great championship and I am personally enjoying the immense quality of driver and teams in this championship. On one hand we can be proud of what we have achieved this year on the other hand I feel a bit disappointed by the big gap to the leaders which leaves us with only theoretical chances for the championship. Unfortunately, we had some technical issues during the last race. Without this I assume the title fight would be even closer than it is right now. I will give our very best and if it is not the battle for the championship then it should at least be the battle for a closing podium.”

FM: “Filled with emotions as we've had a lot of memorable moments this year, sharing them with this new Race Performance team and especially with Michel Frey. I am pleased that we are still in a position to win the championship even though I am aware our destiny is not in our own hands.”

What would winning the ELMS title mean to you?

MF: “This would mean a lot to me specially when considering the quality of the field and the series in 2014”

FM: It would be just fantastic for the whole team. I would be proud to have done more than enough to be on a par with teams that are more experienced and better funded. Equally,  it would highlight what I consider to be one of my best seasons from a personal point of view, a very satisfying one.

What are your strengths as a team that will give you the best chance to win the ELMS title? 

MF: “Meanwhile we can look back to 5 years in ELMS and team became very close during these years. The mechanisms are working well and the team will prepare the car and do the pitstops at their best for sure.”

FM: “No one is expecting us to do it so we don't have any pressure for this last race. We won't leave anything to chance from our side, and we will be at 120% for the whole race.  With a little more luck than in recent rounds, I am convinced that we'll have our place on the final podium of the season.”