Three-time ELMS champion Paul Loup Chatin will return to the European Le Mans Series in 2021 with Idec Sport, the French team with whom he won his third ELMS title in 2019.
The 29-year-old driver will also team up with fellow 2019 champion Paul Lafargue for another season as well as Patrick Pilet.
In January Paul Loup Chatin also competed at the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Era Motorsport, the French driver taking victory in the LMP2 class and finishing 6th overall, in an impressive start to 2021.
We caught up with Paul Loup as he prepares for the upcoming six round 2021 European Le Mans Series.
Q: 2021 will be your fifth season with Idec Sport.What makes this team special for you?
“Five years already! I first want to thank Patrice and Paul (Lafargue) and all the team for their trust. Idec Sport is special for me; it’s like a family. They came to me in 2017 when my sporting program was not really full and thanks to them, I was able to get back on track in LMP2. Those years also allowed us to build something together, step by step. It first started in 2018 when we took the pole position at the 24 Hours of Mans and finished 3rd in the ELMS. Then in 2019 we were crowned ELMS champions. 2020 was a bit more complicated but we hope that in 2021 we will have the performances that we had back in 2018 and 2019. We are doing all we can to be as best as possible while keeping a family spirit, which is the DNA of Idec Sport.
“Moreover, now that I also work for the Groupe Idec, our collaboration is even more important. I have a special feeling for this team, I owe them a lot and I’m proud that altogether we will be able to represent the colours of Idec Sport.”
Q: You will be racing with Paul Lafargue again this season. How do you sum up your working relationship with Paul?
“We have a good relationship with Paul, I think that if it was not the case unfortunately, I won’t be with Idec anymore! We managed to build a mutual trust, we understand each other really well, both in the car and outside. We always have the same goal, which is to score the best result possible as a team. For example, every time we are doing the set up of the car we think of a mutual set up as we have the quite the same driving style. I think now that we have a real friendship with Paul. We trust each other, we don’t always have to talk to understand each other and move forward. This is a strong relationship and I dream that one day we will be able to stand together on the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium, it’s been now 3 years that we miss it despite our performances. I had the chance to be on it in 2014 and I really hope to get back up there with Paul, and why not this year?”
Q: In January you won the LMP2 class at the Daytona 24 Hours with Era Motorsport.Can you describe how it felt to win such a prestigious event on the endurance racing calendar?
“First of all, I would like to thank Era Motorsport for giving me this opportunity. Our main strength during those 15 days in Daytona was the team spirit and it’s mainly what allowed us to stand on the highest step of the podium. It was exceptional for me; it’s been a while that I chase a victory at Le Mans and winning Daytona at my first attempt was unbelievable. It is also a well-deserved victory considering the level of the competitors. For me it’s not a personal achievement as I’m more looking for overall victories either in DPi in IMSA or Hypercar and LMDh at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But winning in my class such a mythical race is something quite exceptional. It’s part of the moment we make sacrifices for. I would just have wish to do it with Paul and Idec Sport.”
Q: Apart from racing at Daytona, what else have you been doing to keep busy during these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic?
“Times are quite complicated right now, but I have the chance to work for the Groupe Idec, in addition as being their driver, so my days are quite busy! I have regular office days with sports training in the mornings and on the weekends to be as ready as I can for the start of the ELMS season. Even if, thanks to Daytona, I’m quite ready now for the 2021 season!”
Q: The first race of the season will be the 4 Hours of Barcelona.What are your thoughts on the track?
“It’s a really good track, very challenging on both a technical and physical level. It’s quite a narrow track, with lots of turns and not much time to rest. It’s also a very challenging track for the tyres which means that usually, if you have a good car in Barcelona, it should be the case for the rest of the season. For me, this race is kind of indicative. We also saw that turn 10 has been changed to make it wider so I’m excited to discover the evolution of the lay out. And it will be the opening round of the ELMS so it’s always a big moment and I hope that we will meet our expectations.”
The opening round of the 2021 European Le Mans Series will be the 4 Hours of Barcelona on the 16-18April.CLICK HERE for the full six race calendar.
