Serra: Still a learning year despite Le Mans win

Aston Martin Racing’s Daniel Serra says his personal expectations for the FIA World Endurance Championship season have not changed, in spite of his victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 33-year-old made a perfect start to his career at Aston Martin by giving the British manufacturer a first GTE-Pro class win at Le Mans alongside team stalwarts Darren Turner and Jonny Adam, also setting the fastest GTE-Pro race lap in the process.

While delighted to continue in the team beyond Le Mans, Serra stressed that he is still treating the year as an opportunity to learn the championship and the different circuits on the WEC calendar.

He is expected to contest all the remaining rounds that do not clash with the Brazilian Stock Car championship, which he currently leads approaching the halfway stage of the season after securing a second win of the year at Curitiba.

“For me it’s a learning season as I never did a FIA WEC race before and I’d never been to any of the tracks that the series goes to – it is all completely new,” he said.

“Le Mans is the race that every driver wants to win and to win as a rookie was great. But since our first test, my target is to help the team to achieve their objectives and I’m happy that it’s working. Everything else is just an added bonus.”

Fortunately, the Brazilian experienced no difficulties settling into an all-British team and is optimistic that the remainder of the season will continue running to a smooth course, approaching circuits where the normally-aspirated Vantage GTE fared well last year.

“It was not a difficult process – the team was really receptive and from the start it felt like I was driving for them for years,” he said.

“I have to credit Aston Martin Racing for all the support they have given me to arrive as prepared as we can to every race weekend. For sure, all the testing we have done together helped with this process, but we worked really well straight away at Silverstone.”

But while many more people are now aware of the Brazilian’s prowess than was the case prior to Le Mans, Serra says public admiration is of little consequence to him and has no interest in proving himself to anyone else.

“I prefer to keep working hard as always and see what the future brings,” he said.  “I will be back with Aston Martin Racing for a few more races and my target is to help them to achieve their objectives, then fight for the Brazilian Stock Car championship when I am back home!”