Risi Competizione 24h Le Mans driver quotes: Oliver Pla, Sebastien Bourdais, Jules Gounon 14.09.2020: Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE-Pro No. 82: Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) - Olivier Pla (FRA) - Jules Gounon (FRA) Olivier Pla joins the No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE-Pro as part of the all French driver squad for the American team O

 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE-Pro No. 82:   Sebastien Bourdais (FRA)  - Olivier Pla (FRA) - Jules Gounon (FRA)

Olivier Pla joins the No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE-Pro as part of the all French driver squad for the American team



Olivier Pla, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 LM GTE-Pro:



You've competed at Le Mans 12 times, including the past four with the Ford GT GTE-Pro team. You've finished on the podium once and in the Top 5 a couple additional times. What do you find most challenging about the Le Mans race? What do you like best?


"I would say that Le Mans chooses you, but on top of that it's a 24H sprint race, especially in GTE-Pro. Everything needs to be perfect on a driver side and on the team side; a small mistake and you never come back if you were in the position to win.
 


"I actually like many things, the intensity of this race, the qualifying, the night, and the track itself is so unique and fast."
 



This will be your first time driving for the Risi Competizione team after competing against them in recent years. What are your thoughts about the team and getting the call to come race with Risi and their success at this huge and important race?



"I actually know the team from the outside but will work with them for the first time this week. The Covid situation made our plans for testing almost impossible unfortunately, but I already know very well Rick (Mayer - Team Engineer) and Gary (Holland - Team Manager), so it will make the things easier for me.


Giuseppe's team has an incredible success and knowledge so it will help to overcome our lack of preparation for this event!"
 



You are part of a full French driver line-up and again associated with the Ferrari Owner's Club of France through Risi. Tell us about your feelings and pride about representing France this way.


"It's an honor to represent the Ferrari Owner's Club of France and I give thanks to Alexandre Lafond and Giuseppe Risi for this opportunity."



 
Tell us about your two co-drivers?


"Although I've never driven with either of them, with Seb, we know each other very well as when we were still kids our Dads were racing together in the Renault 5 Cup.


I'm really happy to share the car with him as everyone knows how fast and experienced Seb is! Jules is a rising star for sure, and a super fast driver. Look at what he already did wining Spa 24H and Bathurst, two of the most demanding races in the world of endurance."
 


This year not only has the race date been changed but there will be no fans. Le Mans is usually full of fans and this year undoubtedly would have been amazing with both French fans and the Ferrari Tifosi cheering for you. Share how you feel about no activities for the fans like the driver's parade or scrutineering and no fans at the track.



"Unfortunately, it's a big shame. The situation we are living now is really bad for the sports in general and I hope we can go back to a normal way of living in the world very soon. We all want to see fans able to come back and see what they like the most and us racing as before!"




 

Sébastien Bourdais enters Le Mans for the 14th year as a driver of the Risi Competizione Ferrari



Sébastien Bourdais, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 LM GTE-Pro:


This will be your 14th year to race at Le Mans, starting back the first time in 1999. You've competed in both LMP1 and the past three years in GTE-Pro with the Ford GT GTE-Pro team, including a victory in 2016. What does it take to win at Le Mans?


"Well, I'm one in 14 so I'm not sure I have the recipe! Jokes aside, these days it takes a perfect race, from the drivers, the crew and everybody involved and some luck with slow zones and safety cars.


That is obviously very different from what we are used to in the States where the outcome usually is decided towards the very end. At Le Mans, any time lost is lost and nothing is given back, which puts a lot of pressure on everyone all race long."
 



This will be your first time driving for the Risi Competizione team after competing against them in recent years. What are your thoughts about the team and getting the call to race with Risi and their success at this huge and important race?



"I have to say I was a little surprised but also very honored when Mr Risi called me. It is a fairly small team, but their track records speak for themselves and the relationship the team have with Ferrari ensures we will have top equipment to contend and try to win the race."
 



You did a brief test day in the Ferrari 488 GTE in Texas before the car was shipped to France. What did you think about it and how do you feel going in to this year's race?


"It was a short test in very difficult conditions with heavy rain at MSR, which is a pretty bumpy track, but I had a great time and found the car extremely well behaved. The grip was surprisingly high and the car was quite predictable. I am therefore very much looking forward to driving it at Le Mans."
 



You are part of a full French driver line-up and associated with the Ferrari Owner's Club of France through Risi. Tell us about your co-drivers and your feelings about representing France this way.


"Jules and Olivier are very professional and quick drivers. I never had the chance to drive with Olivier in the same car, but I have watched him for many years now and I know what a quick and reliable driver he is.



 As for Jules, he is young but already very established. Winning the Bathurst 12H is no joke and I am sure he will be a great contributor to the team effort, especially since he already has a year of experience with the car and team at Le Mans in 2019.


"The French touch highlights the fact that Le Mans is a very important and significant race in France and for the French people. The enthusiasm of everybody involved is quite high and particularly from the Ferrari French Club!"




What is your favorite part of the race and of the circuit? What's the most challenging?


"I have always been a big fan of the 'new section', which stretches from the Porsche Esses to the Bugatti track. It is one of the most daring places in the world!"
 

This year not only has the race date been changed but there will be no fans. Le Mans is usually full of fans and this year undoubtedly would have been amazing with both French fans and the Ferrari Tifosi cheering for you. Share how you feel about no activities for the fans like the driver's parade or scrutineering and no fans at the track.



"It is obviously very sad and I really wish the ACO had been allowed to proceed with the plan they had spent so much time putting together (limited number of spectators divided in villages). Unfortunately, the authorities have decided otherwise and I guess we have to be happy that we are allowed to race."

 



Jules Gounon, who raced for Risi Competizione last year at Le Mans, returns to the team again in 2020




Jules Gounon, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 LM GTE-Pro:



Last year was your first time competing at Le Mans, something you've dreamed of your whole life with your father having raced at Le Mans many times. How was your experience both racing at Le Mans for the first time and with the Risi Competizione team?



"It was amazing to be able to compete for the first time in Le Mans with such a legendary team as Risi Competizione. I learned a lot from the team and my teammates and came away from Le Mans on Sunday with a lot of knowlendge and experience of how the race was going."




You are part of a full French driver line-up and again associated with the Ferrari Owner's Club of France through Risi. Tell us about your feelings and pride about representing France this way.



"First of all, it's always special for a French man to be able to race in Le Mans. So, to imagine racing with my two French teammates and associated with the French Ferrari Club France is such a privilege. I hope we will put on a good show for all of the French fans of Risi and Ferrari."
 


Have you ever driven with either of your co-drivers...what do you know about them?


"Obviously we are not from the same generation (joking). I've always been a big fan of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and followed Seb as a spectator when he was racing for Peugeot and Olivier when he was racing for Oak Racing. It's quite an accomplishment for me to be racing next to them as I only started go karting in 2010."
 



This year is very different with the global pandemic. How has that affected your racing career and your life this year?


"The year started amazingly with the victory of the 12 Hours of Bathurst, which was followed by a long break due to the pandemic. I enjoyed some free time in my home town cutting trees and getting in shape for Le Mans. Obviously the Covid-19 gave us now a really tight schedule with racing nearly every weekend but we are not going to complain and I cannot wait to be back in my racing seat."
 


This year not only has the race date been changed but there will be no fans. Le Mans is usually full of fans and this year undoubtedly would have been amazing with both French fans and the Ferrari Tifosi cheering for you. Share how you feel about no activities for the fans like the driver's parade or scrutineering and no fans at the track.


"I was really looking forward for this part of the 24H, especially with Seb and Olivier, who are superstars for the French fans. But that's the way it is and I hope we will give the best awareness during the weekend to share with the fans the experience of Le Mans."
 



What would you say is the most important thing for you to concentrate on for this year's race?

"I think we all have to concentrate on doing a clean race, staying out of trouble and avoiding mistakes as much as possible. Getting through a very unusual long night will be a key point to be in contention Sunday morning. And then as usual, Le Mans will choose its winners."








Barbara J. Burns - photos Risi Competizione composition MaP