Our day on the Paul Ricard HTTT with the ORECA-Matmut team deserved a proper ending. And the best way to conclude it was indeed to interview of Hugues de Chaunac. The CEO of the group ORECA is making an assessment on the overhang of his Défi Le Mans, with a motto: the team has learned a lot in 2008 and will be even more ambitious in 2009 !
Hugues de Chaunac, how did the winter period go for ORECA? We know that economical situation is not at its best…
The situation is indeed delicate considering the economical crisis. The whole automotive industry is suffering and so are all its contractors. The motor racing can’t avoid it and suffers from a consequent repercussion. How to organize ourselves? We try to be closer to our partners in order to really listen to their needs and help them in the best way. We work on innovation and keep attracting them. ORECA is taking up a three-year challenge and after a learning period, we have to keep improving. We also have to be careful with the budget but the results must be higher. Finally, we have to find resources in order to be always more competitive and achieve our goals.
Is it this vigilance which has lead to the closure of the Le Mans’ site?
It is one of the measures we had to take. Considering the actual situation, we had to concentrate all our forces on Signes, the site of Magny-Cours being an autonomous one. During a prosperous period, Le Mans’ site is a good investment but while you are facing a crisis, it is unbearable. We have to face constraints and my priority is to maintain employment. (Note that the majority of employees have joined ORECA-Signes, An)
Let’s talk about the sportive program. ORECA-Matmut team is starting its second year of the Défi Le Mans. What is your motto?
Being able to assimilate and use all the experience acquired in 2008. We have learned a lot: about the championship, about our opponents and of course about our cars, the management of racings and about reliability. I think we will overcome an important stage by taking advantage of 2008.
What is your goal?
Move up a gear. Our ambition is to tickle Audi and Peugeot. If we are their scratch coat, we will have achieved our goal. If not, we will have to keep working. We have to be as close as possible to these two manufacturers, which means implicitly being on the fighting stage with Aston Martin, which is also going to make an important forwarding step. Coming closer to Audi and Peugeot and thus beating AMR, here is our goal.
To reach this goal, the team has built a new Courage-Oreca like David Floury explained us. Among these novelties, the LC70R will from now on have an AIM engine. Why this choice?
Parallel to AIM, we were dealing with two other prospectors. AIM presented many advantages: motivation, a bloc based partly on the V10 Judd and the possibility to have a development during this season, which will be exclusive. Why didn’t we choose the two other prospectors? Notably because of a timing constraint. We wanted to take a decision rapidly and AIM has formulated a concrete proposition from September, 1st.
At the origin of Défi Le Mans, ORECA was going to release a new proto in 2010. But the new reglementation has been postponed to 2011. What are the consequences for your project?
The changing is that we will have a new car in 2009, even if it is based on the 2008 monocoque. In fact, it is the only common thing between the two cars because it was not possible to conceive a new body during such a short time. Every thing else is new: motor, front- and rear-wheel drive, carrier-hubs, rims, etc. David Floury and his team have checked every thing.
Is the goal still the same one? Win le Mans in a mid-term?
Yes, our ambition is unchanged: win the 24h du Mans. Will we be able to do so by 2010? Nobody knows. In a mid-term? Not exactly. We have to tell ourselves that ORECA has to be ready to win Le Mans. We have to be ready to take any opportunity. In order to do so, you have to be reliable and fast. We have to be able to take advantage of any occasion which will present itself and thus as soon as possible.
In 2009, The Oreca-Matmut team will align two LMP1 in Le Mans series and in the 24h du Mans (if being invited). We already know that Panis/Lapierre is renewed. Who will pilot the second LC70E?
I’m waiting for your readers’ suggestions and I will pick someone by the next 8th or 9th March!
Your answer is quite unexpected!
I trust your internet users! Let’s say that we have many ideas. We are having quite interesting conversations.
Among these possibilities, does the name Petter Solberg appear?
It is indeed one of our options.
During the day spent with the team, I have noticed that he has made a great impression…
He has been considering this test with humility, motivation and a great professionalism. Everyone has been surprised by his approach and his adaptation has been surprising. This is the reason why he has left his mark in everyone’s mind. I think it was also nice from the team to offer him this discovery at the beginning of this year.
Did he personally make a good impression on you?
Yes because he did an excellent job. It is not only his performance, as remarkable as it is, but mostly his approach which made a good impression on me. I would like to see him driving again by the end of February/beginning of March. It is a part of the discussions that we are having.
Last words on the Formula Le Mans. How does the first season present itself?
Good. In the actual situation, it is the best formula to enable a team or a pilot to approach the highest racing level. Without forgetting that it is a unique occasion to race in Le Mans and inaugurate the 24h. According to the feelings of the pilots who have tried it, we know that the product is good and I have no doubt about its success.
Anthony Megevand