Bertrand Baguette : 'to win Le Mans one day'

After two seasons racing in the USA., and two participations in the Indianapolis 500, the Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette will be back home on May 5 for the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

At 26, Bertrand Baguette began a new chapter in his career at the Sebring 12 hours, his first endurance race, and first for the French team OAK Racing. The OAK Pescarolo-Judd LMP1 prototype he shares with Dominik Kraihamer and Guillaume Moreau was forced to retire prematurely, but the Belgian was quickly comfortable in his new team and driving the car. He made his debut at the heart of a the legend of endurance racing, with the blue and orange livery of the Gulf Oil Company. With the avowed aim of one day winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he aims to be worthy heir to his compatriots Olivier Gendebien, Jacky Ickx and Paul Frère.

What does it mean to you, carrying the Gulf colours that Jacky Ickx took to victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1969 and 1975?
Baguette: "It is great pride! Any motor sport fan, and Endurance in particular, knows what these colors. Obviously we can not fight for victory at Le Mans but we will try to shine those colors as high as possible in the rankings. "

The Le Mans 24 hours has often smiled on Belgian drivers: Jacky Ickx, Olivier Gendebien and Paul Frère all won in La Sarthe. Do you think of this prestigious history, and is your goal join them one day on the winners roster of 24 the Hours?
"Clearly the goal is to win Le Mans and one day join that line of prestigious compatriots. I have the great chance to race in LMP1, the class where cars are fighting for first place. Of course, Audi and Toyota are going to Le Mans for the win but with our OAK Pescarolo prototype, we are among the outsiders. It is for us to demonstrate our competitiveness in La Sarthe in June. "

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: SEBRING (FLORIDA, USA), SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, 12 HOURS OF SEBRING, PRELIMINARY TESTING, 13th March 2012. Baguette (left) in the OAK Racing pit, along with his team-mate Guillaume Moreau.