What were your first impressions at the wheel of the Peugeot 9X8?

“The Peugeot 9X8 and the Hypercars are very fast, powerful cars. Their braking and aerodynamics are very different from anything I’ve known in the past. Nonetheless, it was a superb experience. It felt amazing. The team were very welcoming and it was a fantastic opportunity. It was a chance to show the World Endurance Championship who I am. It was my first experience in the discipline and in a closed cockpit, it made a real change!”

Were you surprised by any aspect of the car?

“It’s a great mix of the various classes. You have plenty of power at your disposal. The hybrid system is similar to what you see in Formula 1. Still, you can feel that the car is built for long races. The brakes are less powerful but they last longer. I also had to get used to the traction control. The Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar is a great drive.”

It was the first time for you in a closed cockpit. How did you adapt to that?

“I used the Peugeot Sport simulator to gear up for the Rookie Test. In a closed cockpit, the visibility and heat are very different. Physically, the 9X8 is not the hardest car to drive, but you have to get used to the heat and to breaking out in a sweat! The simulator proved to be a great help in that respect. It’s very realistic so I was able to settle in right from the first few laps.”

What was the most important kind of the feedback for you and the team?

“I shared my impressions with the team’s engineers and for them, feedback from drivers from other classes is invaluable. I’ve driven some fast cars over my career, all very different from one another, so I’m able to provide relevant technical feedback. What impressed me most was the brakes – you have to dose your braking very precisely to keep the wheels from locking. My comments therefore focused on that, so that the engineers can explore solutions to make things easier for the regular drivers.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a goal for many drivers. Does the race appeal to you?

"Yes, definitely! It would be a dream to win the race. At the wheel of the 9X8, I thought how amazing it would be to drive the car at Le Mans, with the grandstands packed with spectators. Competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship would be incredible too. The standard of driving is very high and the manufacturers really fight to the nearest thousandth of a second.
I attended the 24 Hours of Le Mans a few years ago. I took a helicopter flight over the race and have great memories of it. What amazed me most was the atmosphere among the fans. It’s similar to the vibe at the Indy 500. The drivers must feel it too. And it must be really cool to drive on that circuit. It’s definitely one for my list!”

How would it feel to represent France in such an illustrious race, at the wheel of a car like the Peugeot 9X8?

“It would be extraordinary and competing for a French marque would make it all the more special. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me. Peugeot is an emblematic brand for me. I grew up watching and admiring the battles between Peugeot and Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Are there any endurance drivers or teams that inspire you?

“I know Loïc Duval well, he’s had an amazing career in endurance. We talked a lot in Bahrain. Tom Kristensen is another iconic driver. He has always remained very humble with regard to the race. I try and support French teams. What’s great about endurance is the team spirit. The drivers and the technical staff all have to work together and encourage one another if they want to win. I’d like to experience that.”

Finally, do you have any memories to share about your experience at the 2023 GP Explorer event?

“It was a great experience. There was a lot of excitement, a great atmosphere. I watched the first edition on my phone in my gym! I really wanted to be a part of it the following year. So I did a demonstration with ART Grand Prix and I think it really pleased the spectators who were there.”