Louis Iglesias managed to score pole position on his European Le Mans Series debut at the old-school Imola circuit. Driving for CLX Motorsport in the #17 Ligier-Toyota LMP3, the 18-year-old got up to speed quickly and made his statement by finishing 0.232s ahead of the #85 R-ace GP Duqueine of Pierre-Alexandre Provost, setting a time of 1:38.367. The French CLX Academy driver made the step up from the Le Mans Cup, where he drives for ANS Motorsport. Still getting used to the challenging track with faster cars around him and varying grip levels, the young driver is keen to keep that first place after the four-hour race together with his teammates.
Comparing the differences between ELMS and the Le Mans Cup, the newcomer starts by saying the following to GT REPORT:
“The race is longer; it’s a four-hour race compared to a two-hour race, and here you also have to be aware of the faster LMP2s. So traffic management is also different.”
Learning how to deal with this is something he doesn’t have to do alone, as he has the experience of his 34-year-old French teammate Paul Lanchere next to him.
“He knows the track well and gave me some advice, also on how to handle specific corners like T7,” says the ELMS debutant as he elaborates further.
“Before the week started, my coach gave me some tips as well.”
That a classic circuit punishes you for the tiniest mistakes is something the 18-year-old driver is already aware of.
“The most difficult thing is to take the kerbs well. Because if you don’t take them properly, they can push you wide.”
Handling the technical Italian circuit isn’t the only thing he aims to learn throughout the weekend. Despite driving the Ligier-Toyota LMP3 in both series and running the same Michelin tyres, the feeling of the CLX car remains different.
“In qualifying the tyres didn’t degrade a lot, so the most important thing was fuel management. I had to give everything on the last lap and in the end I put it all together setting a good time.”
LMP2 and LMGT3 cars in ELMS run on Goodyear tyres, laying down a different type of rubber than the Michelin tyres used in LMP3. For the Academy driver, this difference is clearly noticeable.
“The grip changes; I have to adapt myself.”
Driving in ELMS came earlier than originally planned.
“The target from the CLX Academy was to be here next year, but there was an opportunity to do it now. We decided to grab that chance.”
Competing in both series gives the Frenchman plenty of learning opportunities as he aims to improve himself in the best and fastest way possible.
“It’s a good thing to drive a lot, and I take a lot of experience from it. I really thank them for that.”
For Sunday’s race, the plan is already set. “I’ll do the last stint.”
The young driver stays cool before the lights go out at 13:00 local time.
“There’s not more pressure than usual. I just take race after race and enjoy being in the car.”
But it’s clear he’s fired up to make a name for himself at one of the highest levels of racing, together with Paul Lanchere and his 17 year old American-Brazilian teammate Alexander Jacoby.
“The target is to win the race.”
Nicolas Nyeste contributed to this report
Love what we do? Support GT REPORT with a donation and fuel our next trip to the racetrack.
Even €5 makes a difference!
