Christophe Pillon : « It was a real pleasure to be back on the big circuit. Hugues de Chaunac and ORECA have given us a really quick car and a great formula. I’d like to thank Natacha who drove a fantastic race. She’s a true professional and I’m delighted to have been with her this weekend. In the closing stages I didn’t want to put pressure on Valle, as we’re in the same team there was no question of taking the slightest risk. »
Gavin Cronje : « I’m very happy with our latest victory. We were able to keep up a very good pace here throughout the race I pushed very hard during my stint. I tried to pass Mathias on several occasions, but he didn’t make things easy for me. It was even a bit dangerous and I didn’t want to take any risks. Then he had his stop and go and I took the lead before handing over to Nico. »
Nico Verdonck : « As Gavin has just said, the end of the race wasn’t easy, even if we had a bit of a lead when he handed over to me. When I got out on the track, I soon discovered that my harness wasn’t well adjusted. I didn’t feel at ease in the car. Without this I think I could have gone quicker. But the important thing is to win and that’s what we did. »
Mathias Beche : « I made a good start and then I defended my lead. Gavin tried to pass me on several occasions. I didn’t leave him much room! Very quickly, I couldn’t see in my rear view mirrors and I certainly zigzagged a little. That’s why I got a stop and go. It’s a pity. The team did a great job and we had what it took to win here this weekend.”
Valle Mäkela : « We had this stop and go, which compromised our chances of victory. Then I covered four laps at a good pace. We’re very happy with three rostrums in three races, but we would have liked to be on the topmost step, above all here.”
Natacha Gachnang : « I have to admit that I didn’t expect to finish my first Formula Le Mans Cup event on the rostrum! I had a very interesting race and I overtook several drivers. It was a great first experience despite the fact that I had done only fifteen laps in the car at Magny-Cours before coming here.»
Johan-Boris Scheier : «It was an incredible pleasure! Each lap I found out new things.The track had a lot of grip today; it was great. It’s a pity I was all alone after I got into the car, as I missed battling in the middle of the pack. I’ve gathered a lot of experience this weekend, and that was also the aim. The circuit is engraved in my brain and I’m dying to come back!”
David Zollinger : « My race was a bit topsy-turvy. Damien ran over some debris from the DAMS car, which caused a puncture. By the time we got back to the pits and did the repairs we’d lost a lap. Then I went back out for four laps but there was nothing to hope for because we were so far behind. I really enjoyed this weekend, but that doesn’t compensate for my disappointment about our result, as it’s not very good for our championship hopes. »
Anthony Beltoise : « I think we had a good race. I started from fifth and handed back the car when it was in second place. I had to find my marks at the start and that’s why I was a bit slow over the first two laps, but then I got into the groove. I pulled back around one-and-a-half seconds on the leader in the following laps. I had great fun this weekend like my team-mate Gabriel Abergel. He made a small mistake on the exit from Arnage by spinning and we made a small error in the pits. That deprived us of a place on the rostrum. It’s a pity but we’ll try and make a comeback ! »
