Q&A with Wayne Boyd

The 27-year-old from County Antrim has raced with the Anglo-American United Autosports team for the past three seasons, securing five LMP3 podiums in 2016/17, including his first P3 race win in 2017 in the season finale in Portugal. He has moved up to LMP2 this year with the team, racing alongside Swiss driver Hugo de Sadeleer and American Will Owen.

The first three races of the season has not yielded the results the Northern Irish driver would like but he is confident of a better result on home turf as the British driver heads to Silverstone for round 4 of the 2018 European Le Mans Series, the 4 Hours of Silverstone, on Saturday 18 August.

What is the best thing for you as a British driver about racing at Silverstone?
“The shorter flight! It’s really nice because I have a lot of guests who come to this race, so it is always nice to have a lot of home support.  I also have a friends and family who come as it is very handy to get to. Silverstone is one of the best for me as a driver, especially through Maggotts and Becketts, these are some of the best corners in the world, especially in an LMP2 car.”

What are your thoughts on the competition in LMP2 this season?
“There is no doubt that it is ultra competitive.  You have drivers who were in F1, and drivers who should’ve been in F1, with some of the line ups that are really, really strong.  Our line up is strong as well and we have a great team around us.  It’s just a few things haven’t clicked into place and luck hasn’t been on our side.  It is definitely a step up from last year.”

You’ve made the step up from LMP3, where you were a race winner, to LMP2 this season.  What is the main difference between the two categories?
“There is a lot to be honest.  There is just so much more going on.  For example traffic management.  Last year we were passing the GTE cars where this year we are passing everything; there is a lot more going on that way.  There is a lot more going on in the P2 with the traction control settings, carbon brakes, more downforce and obviously a faster car in general.  There is definitely a lot more going on, but I am certainly not complaining about it – it’s a fantastic category!”

What are you hoping to achieve at Silverstone, which is Round 4 of the 2018 European Le Mans Series?
“I would really like to think we could fight for a podium.  In the last couple of events our race pace was good and we’ve been close to the pace.  At Silverstone the boys took one last year in their first race, so the car goes well around there.  So a podium is the aim.”