Sunday saw the first 22 of the 60 car 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours entry pass through scrutineering in the Place de la Republique in rather changeable conditions that saw bright sunshine, heavy rain and steamy humid conditions during just half a day of proceedings.

Jenson Button: “This is a great way to get the fans closer to the action”

Jenson Button was relaxed and happy as he made his way through the media melee with his SMP racing team-mates:

“I think this (the public access scrutineering) is a great tradition – really awesome for the fans to get close to the cars, and to the drivers and to see the cars moving slowly by.

“It’s a great way to get the fans closer to action as we move towards the race.”

Asked by Radio Le Mans’ Shea Adam about his experience at the Test Day last weekend Button was clear on what had proved to be an early challenge:

“Mulsanne (Corner) definitely. The first part of the circuit is very fast, not that tough to learn, but Mulsanne just draws you in – It’s huge braking at the end of the straight but just as you think you’ve done enough and release your brakes you feel like you are definitely going to run way too far on and end up in the gravel – That took a while to get the hang of.

“The Porsche Curves are very quick but I think will be relatively straightforward once you have confidence in the car underneath you.’

Magnussen eager for first GTE Pro win at Le Mans

Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen says’ he’s more motivated and prepared than ever to score a win in GTE Pro at Le Mans this year. The Dane told DSC that last year’s finale, which saw him lose out on a win in the final moments of the race, due to a puncture.

Remarkably, the last time he scored a class win at Le Mans, was back in 2009, the final year of Corvette Racing’s GT1 programme! This year, in the hugely competitive 17-car GTE Pro field, Magnussen will share the #63 C7.R (the oldest car in the class) with longtime teammate Antonio Garcia and Mike Rockenfeller.

“The car is pretty much exactly as it was last year, this year the difference is the Michelin tyre. It’s not a radical change, but we still needed to get used to it at the Test. There we got through everything we wanted. I think we did pretty well. It’s easy to be mid-field. But at the Test that didn’t really matter. We’re happy with the car,” he said.

“The ACO is doing so much better BoP wise, it’s still working a lot better than the old system. It’s a great category, and I still enjoy it so much, it’s such a tight battle. Last year we were robbed on the last lap, this year we’re here to get it back.

“2009 was the last time, me and Antonio. But that’s how it is, the motivation level is therefore so high. I am desperate to get back on the top step, and I feel better prepared to win than I was back in 09. I have so much experience now.

“It’s going to be tough, whoever makes the fewest mistakes in the field will probably win it. A lot of teams come with new cars, they feel they can do better, they feel that new cars are better, yet last year the two oldest cars in the field were fighting it out at the end.”

Taylor confident the Ligier “will be in the fight” this year

Back at Le Mans for the second year in a row in the LMP2 field, reigning IMSA WeatherTech champion Ricky Taylor says that the Ligier teams have a fighting chance this year against the ORECAs after the off-season ‘Joker’ upgrade to the JS P217.

This year, Taylor will race with former McLaren factory driver Come Ledogar and David Heinemeier-Hansson, and feels it’s the best chance he’s ever had at winning a class at Le Mans.

“It’s exciting to be in a competitive car this year. The ‘Joker’ package has really helped us. I don’t think the outright pace is going to be there, but I think we have a strong package to run, that’s within the margin of a driver, which is good. I think the driver can make the difference this time around, a strong line-up, with a good Silver, means you have a chance to win.

“This is the best chance I’ve ever had to win, I’m really excited. I think DHH is a sneaky steal, considering how late it came. Come is maybe not so well known in the USA, but he’s really quick. I think we have a shot.

“What we have in the USA is great. But this is such a special event. If you take a year off, you never know if you’ll make it back. We’re still isolated in America, so to keep current here and keep coming back is great. I want to win here so badly.”

Ledogar surprised by the challenge of La Sarthe

Former McLaren factory driver Come Ledogar is making his first Le Mans start this weekend, with Jackie Chan DC Racing. It’s been a life-long ambition to start the Grand Prix D’Endurance for the Frenchman, though going into the Test Day he wasn’t sure how “interesting” the track was going to be to drive.

“I’ve been trying to get a drive for about four years. It’s been a long plan in my head. And now I’ve driven the track, I’m really surprised. It’s not boring at all, there’s only one corner I’m not keen on. But it’s a pretty good track.

“I’m starting from zero for this race though. The first goal for me is to finish because it’s so difficult. But if I’m optimistic I’d say we have a driver-crew to do well. The Ligier is back in the game, the car will be quite strong, and we have a good tyre choice, as we’re so good on degradation. Maybe the Michelin is a little bit faster, but not for the whole stint. It will be a nice challenge.”