British driver Theo Micouris is following in the footsteps of Gillian Henrion as the reigning Ligier European Series champion and making his mark in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
The 19-year-old from Bedford in the UK is racing with Team Virage and along with teammate Sacha Lehmann they have secured 29 championship points in the first four races and are currently 5thin the LMP3 standings just 18 points behind the leaders.
Micouris is competing in his third season of cars after a successful karting career. In 2023 he won the Radical SR1 Cup in the UK, taking 17 podiums from 18 starts, including 9 wins to secure the title in his debut season. Last season he followed this up with the Ligier European Series JS P4 title with three wins and six further podiums.
We caught up with Theo Micouris after Le Mans and as he prepares for the second half of the season, starting at Spa-Francorchamps in August.
Q: How would you sum up the start of the season from your point of view and what lessons are you taking forward to the next race in Spa?
TM: “For me, it's been a good start to the season. We've had some very strong pace and I think we've shown a lot of potential. We did very minimal testing compared to a lot of others, so we're having to take everything we learned from the race weekends and basically really analyse it, look into absolutely everything, to try and keep improving every single aspect and find new things.
“We’re working harder than ever behind the scenes to basically improve everything, both on and off track. We've made progress for Le Mans, and the aim is to keep making that progress for the last half of the season.”
Q: How did it feel finishing on the podium in Le Mans?
TM: “It was very special. It's such a prestigious event, and, you know, some of the people that have stood on that podium, it was an absolutely incredible feeling. It was certainly one of the most unforgettable, emotional moments of my career.
“I can't be more grateful for everyone in the team, I would not have been able to do it without their hard work. It was a brilliant victory for all of us.
“Although the third place was cool, it would have been a lot cooler to be on the top step. So, I'll have to look up a little bit for next time.”
Q: You are the reigning Ligier European Series JS P4 Champion.How important was winning that title in helping you prepare for the challenge in the MLMC this season?
TM: “Last year's championship was actually pretty critical to even being able to race at all this year, mainly due to funding. The prize money meant it was actually possible to be racing this year.Thanks to Ligier and their support, as well as Team Virage. If I hadn’t had the support of those guys behind me, this year wouldn't have been possible.
“You learn so much as a driver in the Ligier European Series, like the tracks I had never visited before last year. Going into this year, if I don't do any testing before each race, at least I know I've done the tracks before, which is a huge bonus.
“The Ligier European Series is absolutely brilliant, the best thing I've ever done. I have to say the cars are incredible, because they're very difficult to drive, and they teach you a lot of things. The fact that they have some aero, but nowhere near as much as the LMP3, you learn so much about car control. It's a brilliant stepping stone.
“For me, winning the LES was very crucial in my career. I'm just very thankful for everything that's come about afterwards.”
Q: The opposition in the LMP3 category is very competitive. How do you rate the championship this year?
TM: “This year's Michelin Le Mans Cup is more competitive than ever. It's got some of the best drivers across the world. It's incredible to be racing with such a strong grid, with so many cars, so many drivers. You have drivers who have come from single seaters and others who have been doing endurance racing their whole life, you've got such a mixture.
“It's a bit weird racing against people with so much more experience, and there are some drivers that are very similar to me, including some I've known some from karting.
“It's great to learn from them as well and be racing them toe to toe.”
Q: Looking ahead to the next race in Belgium. What are your thoughts on the track, and do you have a favourite corner or sequence?
TM: “I absolutely love Spa. Last year, it became my favourite track I've ever driven, and it definitely hasn't changed since. I think we showed some strong pace last year, which is another nice thing to look forward to this year, if we can keep up the same momentum.
“The track is just beautiful to drive. Eau Rouge is probably one of the best corners you'll ever drive, but also the middle sector with its fast-flowing corners, it's just a beautiful sequence to drive. It's going to be a real pleasure to be able to race there again.”
Q: What would you consider to be a good result for you and the team in Spa?
TM: “I think a podium would be great, but the aim is to keep progressing forward, so the aim is now to try and get a win, whether that's in Spa or later on in the year. It'd be good to do it sooner rather than later, but we know we've got some work to do. It would be great to keep up the momentum with another podium, and the win is the next thing to tick off.
“So, after starting on pole at Le Mans and not being able to convert that into a win, it makes me even more hungry to come back stronger and be able to do that at Spa.”
