Lilou Wadoux, express ascent

In her youth, at no point did she imagine that she would participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Indeed, at the age of 8, Lilou Wadoux did not turn to karting like almost all drivers, but to tennis. “I competed in it until I was 14,” she confided to us.

But a back injury forces him to set aside his sport. But he misses practicing physical activity. « I am hyperactive, I needed to do something and after a while you’re forced to do some sport. » That’s when she takes up rental karting and enjoys it.

It is followed by promising driving sessions that will allow her to compete at the age of 15. She is then spotted by Peugeot with whom she will spend two seasons in the 208 Racing Cup before moving up to the next level with the 308 for touring races. After a stint with the lion brand, she joins Alpine where she continues to shine. With 8 podium finishes including one victory, she finishes in third place in the championship in 2021.

From karting to Le Mans

That same year, she takes part in a Porsche race just before the start of the biggest endurance race in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. She emerges victorious. Spotted by the Richard Mille Racing Team, she participates in the young drivers’ test as part of the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

With convincing tests, she is hired by the team for the 2022 WEC season in their LMP2 team. « When I found out that I was going to do the LMP2, I really prepared myself physically. I prepared myself for everything and especially for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. »

During the first race, she finishes – along with Charles Milesi and Sébastien Ogier – in 15th place overall at the 1000 miles of Sebring, before taking a 14th place at the 6 Hours of Spa.

One month later, she finds herself in Le Mans for one of the most legendary races in history. However, she feels no pressure. « I didn’t really know what to expect, I’m discovering the LMP2, the WEC. I didn’t necessarily have any apprehension, but I knew it would be tough,” says the native of Amiens.

During the various testing sessions, she immerses herself in the deep end, having to manage the traffic with the faster hypercars and the slower GT cars. « There is a lot of information in the cockpit, many things that enlighten us throughout the laps right in front of our eyes. It’s quite complicated to focus both outside and inside the cockpit, which is like a nightclub. Of course, at the beginning, you have to adapt a little bit, but with more and more practice, it gets better and better. »

While she has not yet taken part in the race, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, she is already focused on the future, which will be written in endurance. This is a year for learning. Next year will be a year to compete at the front and fight for podiums. I want to do endurance racing and that is what I particularly enjoy.