Team Principal Jonathan France gives his thoughts on this season's team, cars, preparation and ambitions for the 2008 season.
How do you feel about you preparation prior to the start of the season?
In essence, our preparations for the 2008 season began last April, as It is almost 12 months ago to the day that we initiated the WF01 project, and decided to take the step from being a racing car entrant to a racing car constructor, driven by our desire to answer the simple question “What does it take to win in LMP2?” We recruited the best designers in the business to produce what they considered a car capable of winning the category, and over the intervening period we have been diligently putting in place the infrastructure required to accommodate this transition, and also to sustain the running and preparation of a two car effort. I would suggest that under normal circumstances the growth from one car to two would be a significant undertaking due to the increase in personnel, the increase in hardware, budget, not to mention the increase in physical space needed to effectively and efficiently prepare two race cars to the highest standards. To do this whilst simultaneously designing and building your own brand new car is another step again. However, these chances only come along once in a while and it was felt that we could not afford to miss out on either the opportunity to become a constructor, or the chance to run two cars. In fact, I consider that it was quite timely that these situations arose when they did.
How do you feel about the car?
As yet, the WF01 is still something of an unknown quantity in that we haven’t actually taken to the track at the same time as our rivals. The planned public debut of the car at the official Paul Ricard test had to be postponed to give us longer preparation time in the workshop, and since then all of our track running has been conducted in private. Having said that, from what we have seen of the car so far, we are confident that we made the right decision, as it has proven to be not only reliable but responsive to both mechanical and aerodynamic changes. That is not to say that the cars have run without problems, as there were minor niggles with 45 and 46, but nothing that would have stopped us in a race, and certainly nothing terminal. In fact, even the most experienced members of the team commented that it we have had the best shakedown and first test of any new car that they can remember!
Apart from the change from the Radical chassis that we campaigned last year to this year’s WF01, we now have a new engine supplier in the form of Zytek, and a new tyre supplier in the shape of Michelin. If hindsight is anything to go by, these should be two good choices, as the Michelin runners proved to have the legs on their rivals at every event last year, and of the normally aspirated engines Zytek proved to be the weapon of choice. Put these two together with what we consider to be the best chassis, and hopefully our combination should be a formidable one. However, we are not underestimating the advances that the likes of Judd and Dunlop will have made over the winter.
How do you feel about the team you have assembled this season?
Obviously, our technical and management team have worked very hard over the winter to put the mechanical package together, but the one element which is a great variable from team to team is that of driver choice. We see very little reason to produce a wonderful car, with the best technical partners providing support, and not do it justice with the driver line-up. Warren is the consummate professional, and was aware of our plans from the very beginning; with this in mind he was happy to commit his future to the team. A driver of his calibre, capable of delivering accurate, concise feedback, will be invaluable in not only developing the new car, but extracting the maximum from it on both qualifying and race conditions. The same can be said of both Jonny Kane, and Mario Haberfeld, two ex British F3 champions, and proven race winners who have the speed, dedication, and technical knowledge to not only push along the rate of development of the cars, but to push their race engineers to extract the maximum from their cars. Joey Foster has been noted as a man of the future by the BRDC and their Rising Stars scheme, and although this is his first foray into sportscars, and long distance racing, I am sure that he is more than up to the task, as one only has to glance over his CV to see his pedigree. In fact, I would be disappointed if he is not the revelation of the season!
Who do you feel will be your closest rivals this season?
Of our competitors, I think that it’s fair to assume that the three Porsche RS Spyders will all be very strong, and each of those cars has some very talented drivers. But, they are not unbeatable, and given our package as a whole, I think that we are equal to each and everyone of them. Naturally, you cannot discount the likes of RML; series regulars who were champions in 2007, after being runners up in both 2005 and 2006, as any car with Tommy Erdos behind the wheel has to be considered a threat! Their experience of endurance racing and strength in depth, means that they should never be discounted especially with a package as well proven as the MG Lola. But, I reiterate, we have as equal a chance as anyone out there, and the wonderful thing about motor racing is that it is full of surprises, usually when you least expect them.
What are you expecting to achieve this season?
As for our objectives, we have made this undertaking for one reason; because we want to win. But, given the newness of our package, I think that our immediate short-term goal is to have both cars cross the finish line in Barcelona. If we can do this, I’m sure that we will score points, which will be a good start to our championship, and a great reward to the whole team. In terms of speed, I expect that for our first race we should be aiming to be in the top four or five LMP2 runners, hopefully ahead of one if not more of the Porsches. Whatever the result in Spain, I cannot thank enough the whole team and everyone involved with this project for their professionalism, diligence, tireless hard work, and unstinting dedication in helping to produce what I consider to be the best LMP2 prototype on the grid. Not only do we have the best car, but we have the best team!
The Le Mans Series is a difficult and unforgiving Championship. What happens if it doesn’t go to plan during the first stages of the season, how will you pick yourself up and overcome those unseen obstacles?
The answer to that is simple and is something I will reiterate to the team if and when something does go wrong. It is a saying that my father told me 30 years ago which has become my mantra in life and that is; ‘Quitters never win and winners never quit’.
