Britain’s Andy Meyrick will compete with Brazil’s Daniel Schneider this weekend in the final Michelin Le Mans Cup race before they embark on a new challenge in the ELMS LMP2 Pro/Am class next season.
Racing the no32 United Autosports Ligier-Nissan, the driver from Swansea in South Wales was the first winner in LMP3 at Portimao, winning the Portuguese race in 2017 alongside Belgium’s Eric De Doncker and he will be hoping for a similar turn of speed in his final MLMC race with his Brazilian teammate.
Q: You won the first MLMC race here in Portimão in 2017 with Eric De Doncker and Motorsport98.Has the circuit changed/improved in the past five years?
Andy Meyrick:“It’s massively improved in terms of when it was resurfaced that made a huge, huge difference. I think it was around the time that Formula One came here.
“So, from a driver’s point of view, this is one of the tracks that you don't want to change in terms of the layout. It's very unique in terms of the challenges it gets with the undulation. But I'd say the old circuit was not as bad as Sebring, but it was going that way. It was super, super bumpy and you always had to set the car up accommodating that.
“With the resurfacing, I think he's made it even better than it was originally. I’m really happy to be back here and I always love racing here.”
Q: What do you remember the most about that race in 2017?
AM:“Obviously, it was the first victory with Motorsport 98, in LMP3, in the final race of the year, so it was the perfect way to finish the season.
“It was the end of a really good campaign because we started that project really late. I think it was only like a week before the first race, we got the car, it was a very last-minute decision by Eric (De Doncker) and Motorsport98 to even enter the championship. We all did a really good job if you look at the results over the year, we gradually improved. The race prior to Portimao, which was Spa, we got on the podium for the first time.
“Obviously to finish the season with a race win was a credit to the team and the momentum that we created throughout the season. So, it was good memories from a good year.”
Q: This event is your last in MLMC with Daniel Schneider as you are both confirmed as competing in the ELMS next year in LMP2 with United Autosports.What has been the highlights of your time together in MLMC?
AM: “I think if we're totally honest to ourselves, we probably haven't had enough highlights. It's been a bit of a campaign of missed opportunities. We'd like to change that this weekend.
“That being said, I think there's been a huge development and improvement with Daniel and I as a pairing and working with Daniel coming Carrera Cup into prototype racing.
“We've been so close so many times, and we've had a few podiums, but I wouldn't say that we've shown our true potential, which is always frustrating. Just generally the improvement and development we've shown as a team that should put us in good stead for our LMP2 campaign.”
Q: How has the MLMC prepared Daniel for LMP2? And what will be the biggest challenges stepping up to the ELMS?
AM: “I think Michelin Le Mans Cup has been the perfect stepping stone, a perfect introduction into this type of racing, especially for an amateur. Obviously running on the same weekend, you get to see the ELMS. The longer endurance race is the added tactical aspects and also the multi class racing is going to be bigger.
“So we've got more of a challenge with a top class; we will have LMP3 and GTE cars to get past. It's going to be a much bigger challenge, but one that we're looking forward to.”
Q: What would be a good result for you both in the race here in Portimão?
AM: “The minimum would be a podium is what we'd consider as a good result. That being said, Michelin Le Mans Cup over the time that I've done it, has developed into such a strong championship. I think even when you finish in the top six, you should actually class that as a good result.However, with the performance that we know we have here, we're definitely aiming for at least the podium.”
