Filipe, you’ve now made the progression from being an Audi Sport works driver in the DTM to now being given the chance to drive alongside Olly and Marco at Spa and Le Mans this season. What were your thoughts when it came to being involved with the team and being given a great chance?
I was quite astonished. I didn’t get a phone call, to be honest. It was a bit different, due to it all happening quite late. Everything was set to go for DTM this season with Team Rosberg again, but the chance to go to sportscars was due to Allan’s decision late last year.
It was, of course, finding someone to step in after him. So I got a phone call, as Audi knew that I like sportscar racing, especially as I tested in a shootout for Team Joest with the R15 Plus, having known me from before. They said for me to have think about it, and that if it happens, it would be a chance for me.
It was not a case of being told that “this is your chance” situation and being told where to go, but it was fantastic to be given the chance to choose by Audi. Of course, I said I want to go to Le Mans, so it was a great way for it all to work out as it has now.
You’ve raced at some great tracks that well-known in sportscar racing circles, such as Daytona, where you won the Rolex 24 Hours in 2013 with Alex Job Racing in the Audi R8. You were the guy that took the chequered flag after a very competitive event, with the class separated by a matter of seconds.
What are the changes that you’ve noticed with regards to going from a GT to a LMP1 when it comes to driving style?
The biggest feeling is with the GT car is that it is moving around a lot and it is slow through the fast corners, so I struggled a lot. Sebring is not a track that you want to go fast on when you don’t know it. So I was just doing my normal adaptation and it wasn’t going so bad.
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