Belén García Espinar will make her Road to Le Mans debut this week, with the 23-year-old driver from Catalunya having her first experience of the full 13.6km La Sarthe circuit during the first Free practice session on Wednesday morning.
We caught up with Belen after FP1 to talk about Le Mans and also her first MLMC race at her home circuit in April.
Q: Belen, that was your first time on the full circuit here at Le Mans, what are your thoughts?
Belen Garcia: “It's crazy; it's amazing! This is a once in a lifetime experience. I'm so happy to be here. I'm enjoying every opportunity to drive on this track.”
Q: How did the car go in that first session?
BG: “Well, it wasn't that easy because of the slow zones, and it was my first time on track. So, it was difficult to set a lap time. So, hopefully the next session is better, but I’m still enjoying the experience like a child.”
Q: Your first race was at home in Barcelona. How did you go there?
BG: “It was good, I felt very strong on pace. The race wasn't that great because of some problems on the pitstop and we lost a lap. So, we couldn't do anything on the end of the race. But I had a very good feeling and I felt very strong. So, I'll take that.”
Q: We go back to Spain for Round 4 after Le Castellet, we go to Aragon. Is it a track you know fairly well?
BG: “Not that much. To be honest, I've driven there like two times. So, it's not very familiar to me. But, being close to home is something I would value.”
Q: By the time we get there. You'll have four races under your belt. So hopefully a lot quicker in the LMP3?
BG: “Of course everything is going forward, and I'll be learning as much as I can. So, I hope I'll be faster.
