IMSA WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP: SAHLEN'S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN

June 22, 2024

Louis Deletraz

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Now we have our pole award winner in the GTP class and overall here at the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen in the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Acura ARX 06, Louis Deletraz. This is Louis' second career IMSA pole.

Louis, congratulations. Obviously the last IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup race was at Sebring. That ended pretty well for you. Do you feel you're carrying momentum from that or just overall how did it work out there?

LOUIS DELETRAZ: I mean, for sure, it's great to be on pole. The car was fast today, very fast. I feel good, so I could really push straightaway, get the grip, put it on pole, which is nice.

We know what is important is Sunday. The points are tomorrow. Winning Sebring was nice, but it's quite far away. We had some harder weekends in Laguna and Detroit. We're looking forward to bounce back here. It's nice to be up there.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Focusing on a six-hour race, what's the strategy going into it? You had three drivers up until now for the endurance races.

LOUIS DELETRAZ: To be honest, we haven't talked much about strategy yet. For sure being two is easier in terms of driver rotation because it gives you more margin to play. But it's very hot, so for sure it's going to be physical tomorrow. We're going to lose some kilos. I'm really excited.

I think with the weather coming in, we'll have to play it hour by hour, be in a good position the last two hours and start fighting right there. Hopefully running at the front helps.

Q. Louis, if it stays dry tomorrow, how do you expect the heat to play into the tire equation?

LOUIS DELETRAZ: I mean, it's tough. I don't know about the competition, competitors. For sure, everything seems to be hot in terms of tires. It doesn't look like we have to double stint. With so much traffic, I expect some yellows. It will make the stints longer and help us in terms of tire deg. For sure it's something we have to take into account.

So far the Acura has been good for us. I was quite confident going to the quallies about our pace. The race is always different. Obviously in this heat a lot can happen.

THE MODERATOR: Detroit was rough for the 40 car. The 10 car won that race. Have things kind of flipped a switch a little bit here for you guys lately?

LOUIS DELETRAZ: I mean, for sure on the 40 side, we struggle a bit in Detroit. I think we understood why. The whole team has worked really hard, also the boys and girls back at the shop, to put a new car together almost.

It's great. We've been fast. I'm very happy that he won because they deserve it. The 10 had a last one and a half, two years without win. I'm super happy for Filipe and Ricky to get their championship going because they definitely had an unlucky start of the year.

The car has always been strong since the start of the GTP era. I mean, putting it on the pole is nice because it shows performance, but still a lot of job to do tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Louis, thank you for joining us. Best of luck tomorrow.