Lilou Wadoux is waiting for success in home race - Le Mans doesn't yet have a cup
Just a few days before the start of the 24-hour Le Mans race, Lila Wadoux is approaching the race with more experience than last year in category LMGT3. The French rider, competing with the same crew and the same team Richard Mille AF Corse as last year, hopes to finally bring success on this track.
The racer first started in Le Mans in 2022, but then in class LMP2. It's not without interest that the car was shared by Charles Miles and the legend rally, Sebastian Ogier. Although expectations were relatively high, the result was up to ninth place in the category after the problems.
Wadoux then returned a year later with Ferrari 488 Evo GTE, but crashed during rainy conditions. Last year it was the 11th position with Ferrari 296 GT3. It's the first time we've had the same car in a row for a year.
"It's always nice to come back here. It's the race of the year, all the more so when you're French. We'll see what we can do during the week and in the race, but it's always better to be here than on the couch," she said for Endurance-Info.
One of the main strengths of the team this year lies the stability of its equestrian routine. Throughout the season of joint work, the team's understanding is now well established, especially because the trio, including Custodia Toledo and Riccardo Agostini, is also competing in the European Le Mans series.
"This is our second year together at ELMS, so we know each other pretty well. We've come a long way and done a lot of work together. I'd say we're pretty close, so finding a compromise in car settings and cooperation will be easier. Last year was the premiere for us. Le Mans is always something special. I think we're a little better off than last year."
The racer is waiting only this weekend under the FIA WEC, this year the ELMS and GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
"I'd say the level is even higher than last year, we're out of FIA WEC and we're coming in a little bit like outsiders. We do not have the experience of the first two championship races or the same balance as the crews that competed all year round."
This year the crew also has an Evo version of their Ferrari 296 GT3, which is a technical upgrade that could provide a valuable advantage in the specific conditions of Le Mans.
"I'd say it's better in the race. The car is more efficient in operation. It also has a new gearbox that is slightly better adapted to most circuits. We'll see at Le Mans, but yes, there is potential for improvement."
In addition to its endurance racing program, Wadoux this season finds the highly competitive GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup alongside Arthur Leclerco and Sean Gelael.
"I love GT World Challenge. It's a format that I appreciate: lots of cars, high levels of competition and very tight fights.
If you're not in the championship for years, you have to adapt to Pirelli. They're pretty specific tyres. The more time you have on the track, the better. I think you can have a slight advantage in qualifying if you know Pirelli tyres, car and championship environment perfectly. "