Q&A with Richard Bradley, new driver of Idec Sport

Bradley, who raced for Duqueine Engineering in 2019, scoring one podium finish, will team up with reigning driver champions Paul Loup Chatin and Paul Lafargue in the Oreca 07-Gibson, forming what may well be the strongest driver line up on the grid at the opening round in Barcelona in April.

We caught up with Richard ahead of the new season and asked him about his preparations for the coming season.

Q: How did the opportunity to join Idec Sport come about?

I have had a good relationship with Nic Minassian for a while now, we used to bang wheels when I first came into sportscars and now we have become good friends. Having seen the team since their LMP2 debut in the ELMS in 2017 and their progression to being champions in 2019, it was an operation I was very keen to get involved with, so I approached Nic and here we are. I am also very hungry to get back on the top step at Le Mans, especially having not competed in the event in the last 2 years and I think IDEC represents a very good opportunity to do that.

Q: How well do you know your new teammates Paul Loup Chatin and Paul Lafarge?

Not too well but we acknowledge and respect each other as competitors. With Paul Loup entering sportscars the same time as me I have noticed his progress and am delighted I now get to share a car with him rather than compete against him! I first noticed Paul in 2017 when he debuted in LMP2 and the progress he has made is incredible. I’ve always had good relationships with my teammates which I think is something very important so I’m looking forward to getting to know them better on a personal level.

Q: You have raced and won in the European Le Mans Series for many seasons. What is special about the ELMS for you as a driver?

Having competed in Asian Le Mans Series, WEC, European Le Mans Series and IMSA in my time in sportscars and the sheer ferocity of the competition now in ELMS is really special. Whatever championship you do, the front guys are always very fast but the strength in depth in ELMS is incredible. If you make one error or one thing goes against you, it won’t be a case of finishing second, but you could finish even outside the top 10 in certain situations. For drivers and I think the whole team this is special and helps us bring out the absolute best in our abilities and 2020 looks to be the same if not even more intense.

Q: How are you going to prepare for the coming season between now and the official test in Barcelona at the end of March?

I spend a lot of time in Hangzhou ( China ) with my girlfriend who is Chinese and I have an apartment in Bangkok so I have been spending the winter months in warm weather and Hangzhou is one of the best cities I’ve come across for cycling so I have been doing a lot of miles on my bike. IDEC have some pre season testing organised and I will also spend most of March testing in some historic cars. The family have a pre war Aston Martin Ulster which was the 1935 equivalent to an LMP1 and a 1962 Brabham BT2 Formula Junior which is effectively a period F1 car with smaller tyres which I do lots of driving in and is a really fun way to keep sharp whilst still doing ‘Lad and Dad’ racing. I also drive some 60s GT cars for some owners and am entered in 5 cars for the Le Mans Classic and so we need to do lots of preparation for that so most of March will be spent, driving around in circles, in something, somewhere!

Q: Which track on the ELMS calendar is your favourite and why?

I would have to say Silverstone. Obviously being in England and having lots of people I know come to watch is quite fun but I’ve always been fortunate to have a good car there be it in WEC or ELMS and probably had my best drive ever there in the 2017 ELMS race. I also love high speed corners, and these seem to suit my driving style and Silverstone has plenty of them.

Q: What is the goal for the first race in Barcelona and the season as a whole?

To win! With the team being the reigning champions and hopefully with my experience coming in we shouldn’t be aiming for anything less but of course ELMS in LMP2 is probably the most competitive sportscar championship in the world now and so we know we will have to work extremely hard and be perfect on the day for this to happen, and that applies for the whole year. We have to aim to win the championship but respect it will be very difficult and have to make sure we are at 110% throughout the year. I am also extremely hungry to win Le Mans again. In the 4 times I’ve done it I’ve had package capable of winning 3 times and would love to add a second win to my 2015 one and hope my experience can help IDEC take their first. Of course this must be done while having fun which always bring out the best in people and so I’m really looking forward to having a successful and good time this year!