Gillian Henrion got his Michelin Le Mans Cup career off to a great start in Barcelona, standing on the top step of the podium alongside teammate Julien Gerbi and securing the debut series victory for Team Virage.
The 20-year-old from Nancy arrives in the Michelin Le Mans Cup as the reigning Ligier European Series JS P4 champion, adding that title to the French Cadet class karting title he won in 2015. Gillian Henrion acknowledges the experience he gained in the Ligier European Series and crucial to making a successful step up the Endurance Racing ladder.
We spoke to Gillian Henrion after the first Free Practice session of the Road To Le Mans event, which is Round 2 of the 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Q: Gillian, congratulations on your first win in the Michelin Le Mans Cup in Barcelona. That was a great result for your first race.
Gillian Henrion: “For sure, it was amazing. Thank you first of all, that was amazing. It was a hard race week; we had so many issues. So, on the final day we had no issues, and we won the race, so amazing.”
Q: You came here as champion from the Ligier European Series, how much help did that series give you to get the level you are now?
GH: “Without them I will not be here today. So, thanks to them I am here, and I can push on my dream.”
Q: The series itself is growing and growing. How much is the car that you raced in Ligier Series, how similar or different is it from the Ligier you race here?
GH: “We have somethings that are the same, things like the battles with the JS2 R, we now have with the GT3. So, if I am coming from another championship, it will be harder than what I have done with the Ligier European Series. So, thanks to them I am prepared to race in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.”
Q: We're here at Le Mans. What was it like this morning being out on the circuit in the Ligier?
GH: “Amazing. I mean, the JS P4 was already incredible. But with the JS P320 amazing. I mean, I have no words to describe what I am feeling.”
Q: Le Mans is such a long track at 13.6 kilometers. How do you cope with that when you race on other tracks that maybe are only four or five kilometers?
GH: “You have a bit more time on the straights, so you can relax a bit. But it is quite the same. You need to be focused all the time and, yes, it is quite amazing.”
