The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the backpack that Pechito López no longer carries but wants to win back

In recent years, Toyota has entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most legendary races in world motorsport. And Argentinian José María Pechito López dreams of winning him back, after taking off his backpack of winning it for the first time last year, equaling a score that only Froilán González had since 1954.

“I feel calmer because we don’t carry that backpack from previous years, in which we lost by making a good performance and deserving more. This is a very long race, in which you have to deal with different types of problems. Personally, I have the pressure to have a good race and reach the finish line with the possibility of fighting “, said Cordovan in the previous one.

In a virtual press conference with the Argentine media, Pechito reflected on what happened in the last edition, in which he was finally able to erase a dream from his earrings. “That never changes, one takes all the effort and a little more. We prepare better or like last year, even if there is always that nervousness because you know how difficult and cruel this race can be”, he said. remarked who is usually the one who will drive car number 7 at night, which will start from the front row alongside Toyota car number 8, which took pole position.

“It really doesn’t change much for me, in the last few years I’ve been driving at night and I’ve been able to make a difference. In any case, you have to be the best in the moment that touches you,” he said taking note, warning that “everything has to be connected to time “.

On Thursday the two Toyota GR010 Hybrids were the best in hyperpole and on Saturday (at 10.30 on Star +) they will take the place of the front row of the starting grid of the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. First will be the Toyota number 8 shared by the Swiss Sebastien Buemi, the New Zealander Brendon Hartley and the Japanese Ryo Hirakawa, who with the second behind the wheel set a time of 3: 24.408. At 420 thousandths the number 7 was classified, at the wheel of which Pechito, the English Mike Conway and the Japanese Kamui Kobayashi – driver chosen for the classification – took turns. Meanwhile, the Alpine A480 Gibson of the Brazilian André Negrao and the French Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxviere qualified third at just 22 thousandths.

Asked what advice he would give to those competing for the first time at Le Mans, Pechito, with four consecutive starts, the 39-year-old said: “I would tell him that patience is essential in this type of racing. You need to know when to accelerate and when to catch up. care of the car, because lap after lap there are unexpected situations. My first time at Le Mans was with a lot of expectation for all that it meant. I remember at that moment they told me that Le Man had to choose me, and not the contrary “.

Finally, the four-time winner of the World Touring Car Championship with Citroën and two-time Endurance Championship champion, already in the Toyota ranks, highlighted his goals for the future: “They are changing and renewing, but we want to validate the title. (Editor’s note: Together with Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi they became champions in 2020 and 2021.) I personally believe that Le Mans is the most important race and the one that everyone wants to win beyond the championship. There are great drivers who could never be successful. here”.

The trinomial, to which the streak of three consecutive years that have marked the benchmark in the standings has been cut, does not have an easy life: I am 4th in the championship, with 25 points and 32 behind Alpine de Negrao, Vaxiviere and Lapierre, that excel.

What surprised you about Formula 1

Two weeks ago, Pechito López, who has lived in Monte Carlo for several years, experienced the Monaco Grand Prix on the spot and told what surprised him the most, despite being a driver who had trained in formulas and was very close to to reach Formula 1, after decades without an Argentine in the highest category.

“I was surprised by the size of the cars, which are much larger than before. I have admiration for those who drive and take the pressure of racing in Formula 1, but also for the way they work and the technology used. The Monaco GP was going. well, except for us who live there, ah “, joked those who do not lose the Cordovan melody even though she was born in Europe more than 20 years ago, when she arrived in Italy with only one suitcase, according to what she told Clarin l ‘last year in an extensive interview.

A 62-year-old pilot, excluded for safety

Race stewards made a controversial decision on Friday: they ruled out 62-year-old Frenchman Philippe Cimadomo after a series of crashes during testing.

Cimadomo, member of TDS Racing x Vaillante number 13, had a spectacular run off the track, caused an accident and was close to causing another.

His guide “does not meet the criteria required to participate safely for the remainder of the competition,” the commissioners estimated to explain their unusual decision.

“He is a very good driver, but he has to keep working,” Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club of the West (ACO), organizer of the race, told AFP. “There is no age limit to race at Le Mans, but obviously you have to be in a physical condition compatible with the race. It is an extremely demanding and difficult test,” he added.