On Friday, Rebellion Racing finalised its driving lineup for the Le Mans Series with Jean-Christophe Boullion as their final recruit.  A cornerstone of Pescarolo Sport for several seasons, the French driver will undertake a new challenge with the Swiss team. He was happy to answer questions from Endurance-Info.

Jean-Christophe, why join Rebellion Racing?
“The team itself.  They showed a good level of performance in 2009.  Even if the team ran into a few mechanical problems, they were able to be at the top of the time sheets.  Also, I heard rumours early on that the owner of Sora/Pescarolo wanted to stop running competitively in 2010. It was obvious that I should find another team that would be able to take me in.”

So it’s a sporting decision?
“Yes, it’s obvious.  The situation with Pescarolo and Sora is complicated, and even if I continued to talk with Henri, only one team was able to guarantee me a chance to battle for wins and a championship and that’s Rebellion Racing.”

Many saw you linked to Pescarolo Sport and therefore would stay only with them…
“You can’t change the mentality of people.  It’s true that I was linked to Pescarolo Sport and to Henri, but by annual contract.  Henri always gave me a competitive car, the Le Mans Series co-champion titles in 2005 and 2006 prove this. But Henri is in a position of rebuilding.  I can’t take the risk of being without a drive and most importantly, Rebellion Racing came to me with an interesting challenge. Like I said, the team is up to the task of fighting at the highest level. I contacted Hugh Hayden in September, and other teams I admit, but it’s Rebellion who called me back first. It’s proof that it worked immediately.”

Did the fact that Rebellion Racing has medium-term goals play a part in your decision?
“I’m used to doing things year by year.  Before thinking about 2011, I must integrated into a new team. I don’ think there will be a problem. In leaving Pescarolo Sport, I’m not only leaving a team, but also a family.  Therefore, with Rebellion I must build a new family.  As a driver and in terms of the sport, I’m not thinking about 2011.  I’m concentrated on 2010, even if the team has already begun to think of futur seasons.”

The goal is the championship title?
“We will do everything possible.  I don’t know a single driver who doesn’t take the start to win the race.  We know there will be some competitive cars, with in addition, Audi and Peugeot at a few races.  But during the whole of the season, there will be the private Peugeot of ORECA and also the Signature Lola-Aston Martin.  We will have to fight in a quality championship.  But the team has the skills to succeed.  The objective will be to first win a few races.  After that, looking at the 2009 season, I know there is no room for DNFs.”

And at Le Mans, will it be a matter of being first in the “petrol” class? Or do you think, like in 2007, that the podium is possible?
“The two are a bit linked.  I start with the idea that you must have high ambitions.  Otherwise we don’t get ahead!  I also know that Le Mans is unique: in 2008, the six diesels finished in the top six, but in 2009, a few had trouble.  You must aim for first of the petrol cars and hope for the podium.”

What do you think of the new weapon, the Lola?  You will be running more regularly in a coupe…
“I don’t have any doubts about the competitiveness of the Lola.  We know that Aston Martin based its car on the chassis.  And in 2009, I think the Speedy/Sebah Lola out-qualified the Pescarolo 4 out of 5 times.  The performance is there.  As for the closed-top car, my only such experience was with the Peugeot 908, with only one session before the 24 Hours.  It was a bit off-putting at first, but after a while no real problem. For a racing driver, it doesn’t change much…”

What do you know of your teammate, Andréa Belicchi?
“We’ve spoken before at the tracks, but I don’t actually know him.  We will get to know each other, and there’s no reason it won’t work since we have the same objectives!  We all know he’s fast and we will work together so that it goes as well as with my previous teammates.  I’m an easy guy!” (laughs)

Going back to the subject of Pescarolo, would the best possible way to win a championship be to do it against Henri Pescarolo and a driver like Emmanuel Collard?
“That’s a difficult question.  The objective is the title so we will have to be ahead of all the other cars. But I want to win, regardless of who I have in front of me.  I know that Henri is working, even if it’s a bit complicated. I think we’ll see him in 2010, at least I’m crossing my fingers.  Concerning Manu, I think we have the same number of victories in Le Mans Series, so I would be pleased to beat him!” (laughs)

We’d like to note that Jean-Christophe Boullion will be heading to England shortly for his seat-fitting. He will discover the Lola-Rebellion in February.  In addition, the design of his helmet will stay the same while the colour will probably change.

Rainier Erhardt (with Anthony Megevand)