The Sebring Twelve Hours will see the de Ferran Motorsport team make its debut in the famed sportscar race, while also making its first appearance with the new LMP1 Acura ARX-02a.
Team boss Gil de Ferran answered questions ahead of the race, which he will also compete in for the first time…
Q:
What are your first impressions of the new XM Radio de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a, which will be making its first competitive appearance at Sebring later this month?
Gil de Ferran:
You only have to look at the Acura ARX-02a when it's standing still to know it's pretty interesting. It's clearly a highly-sophisticated machine with some of the most advanced technology that you'll find on any racing car. When we started the on-track test program, it was immediately evident that the car had plenty of potential. Being a brand new design, though, it was also clear that we needed all the time we could muster to ensure that we were getting close to unlocking its full potential before Sebring.
Q:
From a driver's perspective, how does the new LMP1 XM Radio de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a perform in comparison to the LMP2 Acura ARX-01b that you raced in 2008?
Gil de Ferran:
It feels improved in every account. It's not like jumping from a Formula 3 car to a
Formula 1 but it is definitely on a slightly higher level all round. The brakes are a little better, it has a little bit more downforce, the engine is a little bit more powerful... everything is a small step up from last year and that shows on the lap times, too.
Q:
Having won the
Indianapolis 500 and two Champ Car titles you retired from racing at the end of 2003 only to make a return to the cockpit with the formation of your own ALMS team in 2008. How much are you enjoying your comeback?
Gil de Ferran:
I do enjoy driving the Acura very much - it's been a great challenge because it's such a very high performance machine. Last year I worked hard to get myself back into physical shape and to get my hand back in. After a five-year gap that wasn't an easy task. Now, the new Acura ARX-02a is even more demanding and, once again, I'm having to increase my personal fitness programme to ensure I can get the most out of the car. It also means managing my time between being a driver and my responsibilities as a team owner is becoming increasingly difficult.
Q:
From a team perspective, what lessons have you learned from your debut ALMS campaign in 2008?
Gil de Ferran:
Preparation is the key... not that I didn't know that before! Long races have a way of exposing any box that you've either failed to highlight or forgotten to tick.
Q:
The new Acura ARX-02a was only unveiled at the end of January, how much testing have you done pre-Sebring and how happy are you with the progress?
Gil de Ferran:
