Two Frenchmen in quest for the title at Petit Le Mans

Their chances of hitting the goal are clearly not the same, if not diametrically opposed. But Mathieu Jaminet and Tom Dillmann will both start the race this Saturday at 6:10 p.m. French time, when the 27th edition of the Petit Le Mans race will start. An event inaugurated in 1998 and quickly became an Endurance classic, contested on the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, located 85 km northeast of the capital of the State of Georgia.

Porsche Penske Motorsport driver, Mathieu Jaminet does not have his destiny in his hands. Third in the last round contested in Indianapolis, the tricolor and his sidekick Nick Tandy (supported this weekend by another Frenchman, Kevin Estre) had won the right to dream, coming back a few points from their stablemates Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron, their only rivals for the title. Unfortunately, their Porsche 963 No. 6 in the GTP category (which corresponds to the Hypercar in WEC) was disqualified during the Indianapolis race, the German manufacturer having forgotten to change a photo in the homologation file. .

“Our chances were greatly reduced, so obviously we took a blow to the head,” complains Mathieu Jaminet. This is the second season in a row where a disqualification jeopardizes our title chances (after Watkins Glen in 2023, an event which they won but which was withdrawn from them following a forgotten technical detail… Editor’s note). Nick and I having nothing to reproach ourselves for, we have the feeling that fate is getting worse. We fought and had a good season, including two victories, at Laguna Seca and Road America. And in qualifying, the sister car only beat us twice. » But it is she who is in a strong position before Saturday’s final, particularly because, very quickly, the No. 6 had to follow team instructions to optimize its chances of the Manufacturer’s title against Cadillac.

Does this mean that the situation is desperate? “Let’s say it’s not comfortable,” Jaminet continues. We should win and they should not do better than seventh. This is clearly not what we want from them and, above all, it is not in the interest of the team. Even more so after all the efforts we have made since last year to reach the level we are at today. » For the Manufacturers’ title, Porsche Penske Motorsport only needs to start to ensure they win it. “But we saw in Indianapolis that anything can happen” continues the 2022 GTD Pro champion. Even more so on a circuit like the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, only 4.088 km long and which will pit 54 cars against each other. “We are well placed to know that since we were kicked out on the straight last year,” he recalls. We will therefore have to seize every opportunity. But above all I hope that we will have the freedom to go for the win, to finish in style. »

More luck in LMP2

Tom Dillmann, for his part, defends the interests of Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen in LMP2, is in a very different situation. Even if the two rival teams – Riley and Era Motorsport – finish in one of the first two positions, the Habs and their teammate Nick Boulle could be satisfied with a sixth place. “Our situation is comfortable without being so, because we will attack the race with the primary ambition of winning the crown,” he admits. In fact, we have everything to lose. The most important thing for us will be to validate the championship. We will not take all the risks to win this race, as legendary as it may be. »

The Dillmann / Boulle duo owe their leading position to their three podiums, including one victory in six races. A very successful season for this former single-seater ace, who did not take long to tame these American circuits which were unknown to him. “What I like about IMSA is that all the races are classics and all the circuits are super pleasant,” says the Alsatian driver. I’m going to discover the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and this Petit Le Mans race, which is the archetype of the American endurance event, with crazy traffic which greatly complicates your task. The more I think about it, the more I tell myself that nothing is being done. »

To achieve their goals, Tom Dillmann and Mathieu Jaminet will have to best manage the rubber made available by Michelin, the sole manufacturer and partner of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. But this is anything but a worry for them. “With the progress we have made with the 963, we no longer have any worries this season,” admits Jaminet. We complete double stints without problem when necessary, and even managed to get the most out of the Soft tires on city circuits. All notches work perfectly. » And Tom Dillmann continues: “For me, who rides a Goodyear in ELMS, the approach changes quite a bit. Michelin tires offer a greater range of use and allow you to attack more. Afterwards, in IMSA, you don’t have to worry too much about their wear, because everyone makes sure to do their double stints at the start of the event to keep as many new trains as possible for the end of the race in order to to have fresh rubber for money time (the last hour of the race, Editor’s note). » An end to the race where both could play for a title which would be one of the most beautiful of their careers.

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