Questions & Answers to Soheil AYARI Team Endurance Challenge FLM09 n°48 - LMPC

1) Following the Red Bull Ring race what did you do to stay in shape during the summer break?

I did running, cycling and swimming as a basis, work on stamina, speed and reflexes, plus some racing to keep up the competitive spirit!  

2) We are going to two internationally renowned circuits before the end of the season: F1's Hungaroring and the Paul Ricard circuit, a track known to be a reference in terms of safety in motorsport.  Have you ever driven at these circuits and what can you tell us about them?

I've already run at both tracks in F3000 and in Prototypes. While both are very enjoyable to drive, they are radically different.  All the same, my preference is for Paul Ricard with this kind of car, which is very aerodynamic. The Hungaroring is slow and Ricard is quick; for one you need to have a car which has very good mechanical grip, while at the other you need a good aero set up.  One doesn't really encourage overtaking, but the other does as it's wider and the Mistral straight offers an amazing chance for a tow.

3) We have two races left before the end of the 2013 ELMS season.  How do you see the near future and what are your expectations? A win is the aim for the near future, with the main ambition being the championship title. We are only 15 points behind the leaders, and with 50 points available over two races it remains mathematically possible.

4) After three rounds with more entries, more racing and more drivers, what do you think of the new ELMS format?

The format is good but the length of the events doesn't ring true for me.  Six hours is perhaps too long for some, but three hours is too short for two drivers.  A four-hour format would be ideal in my opinion. Today the races are too short for strategy to be able to count, it is almost sprint racing and the strategic side of endurance racing doesn't get a look in.