As the IndyCar season begins on Saturday almost three months late, Coronavirus forces, Simon Pagenaud assures AFP that it will be "fresher" than ever and focused on its objective of "winning" the 500 miles of Indianapolis on August 23.
How do you feel after this forced break?
Simon Pagenaud: Much cooler because there has been so much time when I could rest, focus a lot more on myself because there was no trip. (...) I had time to really motivate myself for the season. I feel ready as if I really had time to work on an exam.
How did you manage?
I was well organized, I am quite proud of myself! When the first race was canceled, I said to myself: if it is canceled, we will surely end up being confined to our home, so I immediately went to a sports store to equip myself. I organized a room at my place and it is not worse, because it allowed me to be much more efficient in terms of time. I fell into a routine that I liked. From 9 a.m. to noon, physical preparation with my trainer via Facetime (video call, editor's note), between noon and 3 p.m., I took care of all that is communication, marketing and media response and, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., I made of the simulator. On the days when I didn't do it, I did everything I wanted to do around the house. I managed to stay very busy.
Won't quitting this routine be complicated?
I manage to "transition" so it doesn't worry me. And I think I did everything I had to do at home, so I'm ready to go!
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Has this hiatus changed your goals this season?
Not at all. My number one goal is to regain the 500 Miles of Indianapolis, to relive moments like those I experienced in 2019. Replicating a victory is impossible, but trying to do it again, surely differently, c is another story. I worked a lot on that, on myself, tried to work on concentration again, always going further. And obviously the championship comes second for me. We are starting this weekend and my motivation is really increased. We waited for this moment like children waiting for Christmas, so I think we're all in the starting blocks. I feel ready, I have more experience today, it's a big advantage.
Will running without spectators make a difference?
It is especially before and after where you can feed on this energy. I am a fairly spiritual person and I need the energy of the people around me to transcend myself a little more. Unfortunately, that will not be the case, but we have to deal with it. We are fortunate despite everything to be able to play our sport and the opportunity to distract people. It's going to be very different, but it's a lot of positive to restart.
"It would be great to see the horse prancing up on IndyCar races"
Ferrari says it is interested in IndyCar. This is good news, isn't it?
Ferrari and racing are synonymous. Red cars, we all know what it means. It is the oldest stable in F1, which has been there since the start of the Grands Prix. Obviously, it would be great to see the horse prancing up on IndyCar races. I speak as a motorsport enthusiast. The race with Ferrari is even more beautiful.
We will also see you at the start of the virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 13 and 14 ...
It's my return to Le Mans, finally (after four participations between 2008 and 2011, note)! We are coming to support the new regulations on which the ACO (which organizes the endurance world championship, note) and the IMSA (the American endurance championship, note) have been working. We will make an appearance, we have no pretensions. I think that we will not really fight for the victory since there will be + sim racers + (virtual pilots, editor's note) and they are untouchable. We will do our best to already try to finish the race.
Is this a step towards your real return to Le Mans?
My participation in virtual Le Mans would certainly not have been possible without these new regulations and this ACO-IMSA relationship, so this is good news. My dream is clear: I want to come back one day to try to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Being French, it is our national pride in addition. Now, will Penske (his team, editor's note) come? I hope so. I don't know what the future is made of, but it would be a dream, that's for sure.
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