Mathys Jaubert doesn’t feel the pressure of traffic management at the 24 Heures du Mans

You said that managing traffic was an easy thing. Did you prepare for this parameter?

On simulator, no. But I have already done 24-hour races three times. I’ve had the chance to participate in the Porsche Cup, where we race with GT3 cars that go faster and GT4 cars that go slower. It’s exactly the same here with the GT3 and the Hypercars.

I’m not saying that managing traffic is easy, but I would say that the most complicated part is when there are gentlemen drivers in front of us. They are a bit more unpredictable. For me, in ELMS, it goes quite well because the last stints are done by pros. They have a camera in the car, so they see us coming and we know where to position ourselves.

Here, there are places that are a bit trickier with the straight between Mulsanne and Indianapolis. If the GT3 doesn’t see us, a collision can happen quickly. Patience is a strength in these conditions.

Pilots absolutely want to know who the other drivers are at the wheel because everyone has different reflexes. Is this a strategy you have adopted?

Yes, I try every time to know who is in front or behind me. Before the race, I look at who the drivers are. In ELMS, even if the engineer doesn’t tell me, I know the crews of each category and I know who is doing the last stint. It’s going to be different here, but I try to ask who is who, if the driver is silver, gold, or if it’s a gentleman driver.

Does not thinking about traffic management make things more fluid and relieve some pressure?

Yes, especially at night, where it can be stressful. You can’t tell if the hypercars are 10 meters or 500 meters away with the headlights, but the engineers help us a lot.

How did you manage to adapt so quickly from the Porsche Cup to LMP2?

I think I’ve driven all types of cars since I started motorsport: the Porsche Cup, prototypes, single-seaters, Caterhams. Unlike some drivers, I’ve been able to race in various categories, which is an advantage.

Is it a good stepping stone to move from the Porsche Cup to LMP2?

I would say that the right gateway is to create many categories.

Are there ambitions to move up to Hypercar?

With Genesis, the goal is to be involved in the Hypercar project as early as next year. And within two years, to drive the car.

You are still in engineering school. Do you think that this degree and education can be an asset for you in the team?

I believe I am an asset. In Porsche Cup, I know this car perfectly, so I know the settings that need to be made. With the LMP2, I still have a bit of difficulty understanding the engineers, the settings, but it helps enormously.

Today, we feel that there is enormous enthusiasm around IDEC Sport and the Genesis project, whether at the public or media level. Do you feel all these expectations from the different paddock stakeholders?

No, not really. In terms of media, there’s a lot of talk about Genesis. When you see Aston Martin entering Hypercar, it was mentioned a bit, but not extensively. The Genesis project is attracting a lot of people, especially with André joining us as well. Just like with those two first wins in ELMS.

Does the line-up have an impact on this phenomenon?

It’s true that Jamie (Chadwick) attracts people. She’s the first woman to win in ELMS, she won the W Series. She attracts people. André’s (Lotterer) three wins draw a lot of attention.

Just like having a Cyril Abiteboul.

Exactly, it’s as if we had Fred Vasseur with us today.