Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:08 Welcome to a very special episode of the edge. The sporting world can be a very competitive place, but it can also be a place where you find people who share similar values and interests, a place where you can create genuine long lasting friendships. These friends can push you to become a better person and even a better athlete. In this episode, our guests are formula E drivers and best friends, Andre LA, and Jean Eve. Their camaraderie is unique, refreshing, and so legendary they've even got a name for it. Jean Andre, the two friends talk to each other about the moments that shaped them, their shared passions and how the friendship changed the attitudes towards racing. The two friends, talk to each other about the moments that shaped them, their shared passions and how their friendship changed their attitudes towards racing. So without getting in their way, I'm gonna hand the mics over to Andre and J V I'm Tay van BRCA. Welcome to the edge, a podcast by Tagore,
Speaker 2 00:01:10 Sorry, everyone. I'm uh, Andrea Lara and, um, I'm racing for the tag Hoya Porsche family team. And I'm sitting in front of Charlie van, who was my teammate. Yes. Yes.
Speaker 3 00:01:23 So I'm, I'm <inaudible> um, people call me J just because like is too long <laugh> and, uh, I'm racing for Dita in formula.
Speaker 2 00:01:33 And since then, very good friends. Yeah. First time we met, uh, was, uh, not in a good <laugh> situation for me. I, uh, just, um, lost the 24 hours of Lamont to retirement. I was in the lead, uh, comfortably with actually around 40, 45 minutes gap. Um, yeah. And then in the last two hours, my engine broke and, um, yeah, that would've been my fourth victory, so for sure, I was bummed out and, um, yeah, J Jeff came to, to the Porsche hospitality to, to say hi, and I don't remember exactly what you said. I'm sorry. And,
Speaker 3 00:02:12 But I remember that you were actually kind of, of, I wouldn't say happy, but, uh, probably had a glass of two of, of champagne. I don't know, because it was the end of the 21st. Exactly. And, uh, you, you seem to be in good company, uh, and, uh, with a smile on your face. So I came to see you and, uh, say, Hey, I'm I'm Jeff. I did not even know you were speaking French. So I spoke English to you. And, um, basically, yeah, presented myself said, I'm sorry for your race, man. I, I mean, it looked good and I feel sorry for you. And Andrea looked at me and uh, said, well, dunno what came out of his muscle <laugh> and he passed in front of me and I was like, what is this guy? Like, I couldn't believe it. I was in shock. He said, I mean, I, I heard he was a nice guy, but after that he was, yeah. Not, um, he, wasn't not a good
Speaker 2 00:03:04 First impression. No, I didn't. I remembered you came, but, and I, I know I didn't have any intention to, to reject you. So maybe I was just in my own world and processing my thoughts, but it was very nice for of you to, to come. I appreciate.
Speaker 3 00:03:20 So how did we became friends
Speaker 2 00:03:23 Turnaround?
Speaker 3 00:03:23 Huh? That's uh, that's a funny story. Um, well, the, the, the story is, um, that, uh, towards the, a few months after the 24 hours of Lamar poor ship pulled out, Polish pulled out. Yes. And, um, so therefore kind, I will, I will only talk about my side of the story where, um, my team, uh, <inaudible>, uh, was partnering with, um, with DS and for the following year, they wanted to have only one French driver. And I was teammate with Stephan Taza and therefore they wanted to hire a new driver, um, which okay. Was fine. Um, and, um, I had my, what to say back then in, in this team, since I had some, uh, some shares and, uh, yeah. Had some voting, I mean, voting rights or whatever, but not that is interesting, but, uh, basically the team needed my approval to, to sign, uh, the second driver.
Speaker 3 00:04:18 And, um, and, uh, on the top of the lease came Onte and I was, you can imagine that after the first impression I had in LAOA, I said, I don't want to know this guy. I don't want to have him in my, in my team next to me in the car. Like, it's not gonna go. So I, I, I mean, I pulled the hundred big time on my team. I said, no, never, you're never gonna hire this driver or otherwise I go, and I cannot walk with him. And, uh, it was probably a little bit, you know, too much what I said, but a few person in the team told me that knew rod. Andre said, man, I dunno why you say that because honestly, you guys gonna be best friend. I heard it for one guy, two guys. And like, I went on holiday in sane.
Speaker 3 00:04:58 Um, I was on the call with, uh, the bus of the team. Uh <inaudible> who told me, uh, I had a little bit of an argument, a fight. And, uh, and, um, basically we hung up the phone and saying, okay, Jeff gone on your holiday. And you know, when, uh, when you come and not came, you know, when you have a better view of the situation, you can come be back. And we speak in a week, fine, went for, within for Lucas, um, DII, birthday, and also tighter celebration and on the beach in sane. And it was a big, big table where probably 20 people. And I was one of the first one who arrive. So I sat at, at an angle of the table on, on the corner and I was talking to my neighbor on the right. And, uh, at some point the table became quite full and sitting next to me was quick story short.
Speaker 3 00:05:44 Um, the lunch started at 1:00 PM and long story short. Yeah. What did I say? Quick story short. Ah, yeah. Long story short. Sorry. <laugh> yeah, because the day was, was not quick <laugh> we ended up, um, I mean, I'm, I'm gonna, I'm not gonna talk about the details, but all we know is that we made a phone call to N moon was probably at eight in the morning or seven in the morning. So therefore it was daytime in China and we just became best friend. Uh, obviously I no need to mention that we hadn't sleep that night <laugh> and that we probably came out of some, some club <laugh> and since then we, we became very, very good friends.
Speaker 2 00:06:23 Yeah. In fact, yes, it was like that. Then me, I had no idea that you hated me, uh, from that moment.
Speaker 3 00:06:28 I think I hated you.
Speaker 2 00:06:29 I just, no, well, let's call it like that. <laugh> and put, uh, stones in a way or potentially, uh, not wanting me. So I had no idea. And, um, the other coincidence was also that, uh, I signed up for the same management as Jeff, which knew Jeff quite well. And, um, um, it was, and I was good friends with Lucas because we were teammates in Audi. So I was invited there and I said, I was going and I say, ah, Jeff will be there. So it's good that you are going to meet him. And, um, I had no idea about all this, so I arrived there and then yeah, we just had a, an amazing time. And, um, uh, I think we connected pretty well and we were on the same wavelength and, uh, yeah, I think from that moment on, uh, a, a bigger, uh, fun story started and, uh, yeah, the Jare, uh, <laugh> started as well. And, uh, season four, uh, was really, really a lot of fun. Um, it was tough for me to join from me at the beginning. I had to learn a lot and Jeff helped me really, really a lot with the team. Uh, I think I had the best people around me and still grateful for that today. And, um, uh, yeah, we went around the world. We traveled together and yeah, just enjoying, um, racing races. Yes. And
Speaker 3 00:07:52 Today <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:07:53 Yeah, it was, uh, we did a lot of, uh, cool things, but, uh, at the same time pushing really hard, you know, it was, it was a, a good atmosphere to, to, to work in also the, the whole Teda team. So we were, um, we were a small group, but, um, pushing a lot and, um, yeah, and enjoying what we were doing and switching very quickly from fun to being very professional. So, yeah, that was, uh, that was, um, these moments in life, uh, that, that, uh, that change your life basically, you know, that you remember. And, uh,
Speaker 3 00:08:25 So you, you're saying I changed your life.
Speaker 2 00:08:27 You did. I wasn't actually, um, you know, it was not an easy thing for me. I was like, um, quite, uh, established in endurance, uh, racing, you know, and, uh, Audi stopped and I found a, a home at Porsche, but I, I, uh, I had to accept that they, they pulled out after my first year. And then I found myself, uh, uh, needing to find, uh, a, a new professional environment because I was used to have it for so long. And, um, um, you know, I, um, and Chita was also quite new in this business. And, uh, you're wondering, who, who are you going to to encounter there? You know, and this <laugh> compared to like a huge powerhouse, like Audi or Porsche, you know, but to be honest, I, it was a very, uh, um,
Speaker 3 00:09:17 It was like a startup.
Speaker 2 00:09:19 It was like a startup, very bright people. And I mean, I don't know how many people were in that, that little apartment in, in <inaudible> I think know, like 12, 10, 12 people. And they rented an apartment cause we didn't have to develop a power train. We were just had to, to basically prepare the races and, and, uh, yeah, it was, uh, it was quite impressive. <laugh> so, yeah, that's how we became friends and, uh, we are still friends beyond our, um, let's say, uh, teammate time. Um, I think that didn't change. It's just a bit spending a bit less time together, I guess, because
Speaker 3 00:09:56 I'm missing it.
Speaker 2 00:09:57 Yeah. <laugh> me too. Me too. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, normally you get these kind of relationships only, um, if you're friends and you're sharing a car and endurance, but not really when you're racing against each other. So, um, that was quite unique. And I don't think you, you can find that quite often in, in a career. So, no, it
Speaker 3 00:10:17 Was definitely, it's very, very rare. Yeah. When you start Motorsport at early age, so from the age of 10, you learn very quickly that your greatest enemy is your teammate because is technically the only guy that have the same, um, car, the same cutting, um, as you, so the first point of comparation is, is always your teammate. And therefore you, you, you learn very quickly that yeah, you need to beat your teammate. And for that, you know, they have, I mean, there is a lot of things, mind games, um, little secrets inside the team and trying to politically steer the team towards you and, and make them, uh, love you more than your teammate. And, and, uh, I've known that for all my life, especially in, in formula one. And I think with what was different with Andre is that I guess, because we are the different age as well, and that, um, I saw such a nice guy with not at all this mentality and he was to me like refreshing, and I saw a new part in Motorsport that I'd never seen before that you could actually be friends with your teammate and that's something so, so, so rare.
Speaker 3 00:11:28 But, um, the fact that he had done a lot of endurance racing, I guess his mentality was not, and we were not on the same line as, as with me. And in that way, you know, he said that I helped him in, in some way, but I think he helped me also in, in a big way to work together and, and to, you know, do that for the good of the team. And I think the, the relationship we had inside the team was, was extremely healthy. And, uh, of course he wanted to beat me. Of course I wanted to beat him. But honestly, like when he was in front of, when he was on the podium, I was genuinely happy for him. Um, and that was the first time in, in my life. And I thought that, yeah, he was very refreshing and he also allowed me to be better as a driver because I was for once not focusing, how can I destroy my teammate? I was just focusing, how can I do a better job myself without thinking of that? And I think that helped me a lot since then to just focus on my job
Speaker 2 00:12:21 Pretty well explained, I guess <laugh> the thing is it's only actually your ego that's in the way in that moment. And, uh, that's, uh, what I managed to, um, establish throughout my career maybe is a combination of racing in Japan and having teammates that were Japanese and that were so in a different environment than me and I was just welcomed there and then racing an endurance. And, uh, cuz at the end of the day, I mean there might be a bigger thing than just being, beating your teammate, you know? So the goal should be to drive as fast as possible with your own car. But like he also mentioned it was, uh, really nice and I think good for the team that they, they don't have to, to, to worry about that and that we were sharing all the information for, uh, a genuine, honest, um, good for, for whether it was for him or for me or, or for everyone.
Speaker 2 00:13:20 And um, and especially in the championship, like for Lee, where you very little track time, we were not being able to, to test on the track and any little bit of, of, of information or of anything that we could figure out to do better. It was shared and not kept for, for, for each other. And I think, uh, from lean, um, probably benefits from, from teams, uh, or teams in family benefits from that if they have two team, two teammates that, that work really well together because it's, A's a, it's a positive spiral. If you try to, to beat each other and, and not be healthy, then, um, the whole team suffers from it.
Speaker 3 00:14:10 All right. Where does your love for racing come from?
Speaker 2 00:14:14 Think where every similar story? Um, both our dads, uh, been involved, um, from my side, um, he, my dad was a team principal. He also an engineer and team manager. So, um, he had, um, the luxury to, to take me since I was born, uh, with my mom to the racetrack. And it was the, the first thing, uh, I could remember, I wanted to become, uh, uh, looking up to, to racing drivers and, um, I'll never forget, uh, um, the excitement I had when he told me that we were gonna go carting for the first time and I couldn't sleep. Uh, and also before my first race, I, I remember it was something important that, uh, it was not just something for fun and, um, yeah, growing up in that environment, um, yeah, gave me the love for, for, for motor sport.
Speaker 3 00:15:07 And as for me, I, I was technically born on a cutting track, my parents on a, a circuit near Paris and,
Speaker 2 00:15:14 Uh, not in the hospital. Huh.
Speaker 3 00:15:17 I don't remember
Speaker 2 00:15:18 <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:15:20 I think I was born in the hospital of course, but, um, straight after my mom came out, she went straight to, to the cutting, uh, circuit. Um, and, um, I don't remember either, but I see the pictures. Um, she didn't have time to buy the, the babysit for, uh, when we were at home. So the only thing she found was a cutting seat. So, you know, I have pictures of me like a few days old in the, in the cutting seat by the office of my mom. And, um, yeah. Then I was, I technically lived on, on the circuit, like for, for more than five years and, um, yeah, I was doing casting. I mean every, almost every days.
Speaker 2 00:16:01 Yeah. Cuz your parents were managing a Google at track,
Speaker 3 00:16:03 Right? Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:16:04 Helped. So <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:16:06 Yeah, yeah, it did help. It did help. But at some point like when the, the casting became quite successful as a business, I never had time to, uh, to drive anymore because the, the circuit was always rent out for companies, you know, doing like, uh, six hours race or mm-hmm, <affirmative> like, uh, you know, and, um, so therefore I, uh, had little, um, very little track time at some point, but uh, anyway, like yeah, when I was 5, 6, 7, 8, I was, uh, so I started very young,
Speaker 2 00:16:36 Impressive.
Speaker 3 00:16:38 I can only remember what my parents told me because I don't even have the memory of, of when I really started. The only memory I have is that when they switch under the engine, um, it was a com 60. And uh, I remember I got very scared and I think I cried cause the engine noise would scare me.
Speaker 2 00:16:56 <laugh> you know what I did once in go-kart cuz my dad had a bit of an idea of apexes and everything and uh, we were testing and I was, um, in the middle sector of this track in Belgium, I grew up in Belgium and uh, the outside curb was quite aggressive and
Speaker 3 00:17:11 Was in Dan
Speaker 2 00:17:12 In no Maria strike and um, was like a lefthander and I wouldn't open up the apex, you know, free up the go-kart all the way to the, to the outside curb. It was my, my, my, my beginnings before I did my first race. And um, so my dad was like, you have to open up and then I wouldn't do it. Then he thought it's a good idea to go on the track and, and at the exit of the apex, more or less in the middle of the track and helping me to,
Speaker 3 00:17:43 I
Speaker 2 00:17:44 Imagine pass by, by, by his side. And then it was working well for like 10 lap. He was 10 in the middle of the track and it was giving me a bit of a line. And then he, he was like, maybe you hit him. And then he, yeah. <laugh> he was like, okay, I'm gonna try to move back to the Azure track to see if I got the point. And I arrived there and I remember it's like crazy <laugh> so then I, because he was a bit more on the edge of the track, I kind of somehow went towards him. He went left, I went left, he went right. Like, and then boom, I hit him. And then he, he jumped in the air and broke two, two ribs. And um, I remember I was in the grass and I, and I was like, there, you okay? He was like, yeah, yeah. <laugh> he's driving <laugh> so yeah. Oh God, you should have put a coin. Yeah. We didn't have it. <laugh> oh, tie, you know, wheeled or something like this. Yeah. Yeah. So that's a funny story. Yeah. Yeah. Good way to break two Wes,
Speaker 2 00:18:53 Without the support of your, your parents, it's a very tough sport. It's not like you send your kids to, to soccer or tennis and coaches take care of you. You know, it's a really individual sport. Um, I mean, for sure the, the, the tuner can help you, you know, but it's you see the, the quite often that, um, it's a family thing where, you know, you <laugh>, I mean, at the beginning we didn't even have material. We, we, we had like a, an Avan car and then, um, put the seats down the goca in the back. And my mom, my dad and my mom in the front, and I would sit in the, go with my head, like tilted on the roof and then driving two, three hours away to go cut tracks and like following the steering and what my dad was doing in the go cart.
Speaker 2 00:19:39 And then it grows, you buy a van, you know, and then you buy a bit more equipment, go more races. And then, uh, yeah, things start to become expensive. And so on, on, on, and, and my side, my parents, I owed them everything. Um, they ruined themselves, like we, we really got in debt. And then at the point where internationally I was, I was doing well, but we had to borrow money from, from my uncle that also we didn't have much, he put all the savings. We were at the point of no return and, um, not easy know for, for, for parents to, to go that far. And, um, yeah, so this, uh, it's, it still pushes me today because people invested so much in you and, uh, without having any parachute, you know, some, of course it's a lot of drivers also have talent, but also a bit of money because it it's calls for that.
Speaker 2 00:20:34 But, um, when it's, you know, when it's your whole existence, you, you, you kind of never give up and on it. And, um, when you break, make it through, you know, but there are also sad stories where the parents did that and the drivers didn't, didn't make it through. And, uh, it's, that's, that's, that's the tough one, but, uh, you know, I, um, yeah, I can say I'm lucky, but you know, worked really hard at it. You know, I had to, to go to Japan to continue my, my, my professional career, because I didn't have any sponsorships. So I, I remade myself there and had the luck to be at the right place at the right time to come back to international scene and be in a good team and, uh, have a good car and, uh, continue my career at a high level. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:21:17 What are your passions outside of racing?
Speaker 2 00:21:20 Passions,
Speaker 3 00:21:21 Passions,
Speaker 2 00:21:22 Our passions outside racing. Um, yeah, quite a few. Um, I picked up on photography in 2016 was my dad's hobby that, um, I was the Guinea pig, uh, when, uh, when I was a kid, like at the go cut track. Um, but, um, I wanted to, to, to, to give it a try, became a hobby. Uh, what else? I like, um, I like cars. I like collecting classic cars, sometimes work a little bit on them. Play with my buggy, have a, have a, a two seat of buggy. So cycling a little bit on countryside, enjoy, enjoy cooking, making pizzas coffee. So yeah, we have, we have similar passions actually. Huh? We're very different people, but we have very similar passions. I mean, you spend a bit of money too. I think. Uh <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:22:11 I don't know in what we're very different, but, uh, we're not that different actually. I don't think so.
Speaker 2 00:22:16 I think we we're, we're different, but we are, we're similar at the same time. Otherwise we would be friends, you know, you have to complete each other a little bit.
Speaker 3 00:22:26 That's
Speaker 2 00:22:26 Lovely. So, so romantic.
Speaker 3 00:22:28 Yes, it is. Um, what I, before I met, uh, Andrea, I had no passion and, and, uh, <laugh>, it's kind of, I mean, okay. It's not true, but kind of true.
Speaker 2 00:22:41 No, we, we had, we weren't clubbing. That was a bit of a passion.
Speaker 3 00:22:45 Yes. That, I mean, things we can talk about. Uh <laugh> no, but, um, it's, it's true because, um, I used to like sunglasses, but Andre was a maniac about sunglasses. Since I met him, I bought more pair of sunglasses in the next few years than I ever did in my, all my life. Second thing was photography. Uh, my dad was a photographer and he loved photography and he always tried to teach me when I was a kid and I never wanted to hear about it. I meet Andrea and I see him with his cool Lakers on the track taking cool pictures and I could see him enjoying. So I was like, Hmm, I'm gonna do the same. You know, like that's what a good team does. You know, we, we, we going towards the other one and try and understand what they do to, you know, maybe, I mean, it's, it's good because when you do more things together, it, it creates bonds as well.
Speaker 3 00:23:34 But I didn't do it for that reason. I was like, okay. So I bought my first leg car, then a second one, then a third one, and <laugh>, so I spent quite a bit of money there then, uh, coffee. I always kind of like coffee, but, uh, then I, I came at Andres and, uh, you know, I was making his beautiful, uh, latte espresso with a little bit of latte out. And I was like, oh God, that's so cool. I love that machine <laugh>. So I bought this machine and then I didn't stop there. I bought another one and then I didn't stop there. I saw had a cool vintage machine. So he gave me the same contact and I called again, I said, I want something bigger than what Andrea has <laugh> so I bought, uh, and even older machine, a little bit different, but, um, <laugh> so, yeah. Um, quite a lot of, uh, similar patients, um,
Speaker 2 00:24:22 Watches,
Speaker 3 00:24:23 Watches. Yes. I was talking about cars. Like this is something we are completely different. Yeah. Like
Speaker 2 00:24:28 This guy has no idea about cars. Like <laugh>, it's so funny. What did you do once on the, with your,
Speaker 3 00:24:36 With your company car? Oh God. Huh? You're so mean. Why, why you bring this is really bad.
Speaker 2 00:24:45 So he actually refueled his diesel car with gasoline and broke down. <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:24:58 I would say that that's not true, but it is true.
Speaker 2 00:25:02 Well, that makes it true from the driver. Right.
Speaker 3 00:25:05 That's what I said. I mean, that was a funny story. The guy that came to pick me up on the side of the motorway, he picked up the car and I jump in the truck and I say, how I say, you're not this guy, uh, X formula. I wanted your van. Right. And I was kind of hiding, so yeah. Yeah. That's that's me. And he, he told the car and he check something quickly and say, what happened to your car? And I generally didn't know what had happened. Even at that point, I had no idea. And, uh, he said, uh, you're sure you put the right fuel in the car. And at that moment it clicked. I said, oh my God, of course I didn't put the right fuel. And, uh, it was quite embarrassing for me, but the guy died laughing and I had to find an excuse. I said, look, I'm driving formula electric cars made. So I, you know, it's not my fault. <laugh> so, yeah. But, uh, yeah, but cars, I, I don't collect cars. I, but only one car in my life. Uh
Speaker 2 00:26:00 Doesn't know if the car is a turbo or not, you know, like sometimes,
Speaker 3 00:26:06 Uh, yeah. Can we stop there now please? <laugh> because I'm sure you, what's a
Speaker 2 00:26:10 Flat
Speaker 3 00:26:11 Six it's, uh, six cylinder flat from Porsche. I know. Come on
Speaker 2 00:26:15 Now. You know
Speaker 3 00:26:16 <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:26:19 Oh gosh.
Speaker 3 00:26:20 So yeah, but, uh, and, and then watches. I, I love, I love, uh, watches and actually I don't buy cars so I can buy more watches. Um, so yeah, I've um, I'm starting to have a nice little collection of, of watches. I love the one I'm wearing the tiger Indi aisle. Um, I think it's amazing. I love it. Even Andrea wanted to steal it for me now.
Speaker 2 00:26:41 Yeah. Cuz I didn't get one. So I'm quite jealous on that. I think they're all out.
Speaker 3 00:26:46 No land they're out. It was limited edition.
Speaker 2 00:26:49 So I'm gonna grab it. Can you, can I borrow it from you?
Speaker 3 00:26:52 No,
Speaker 2 00:26:53 Come on. I'll give you my connected
Speaker 3 00:26:54 One. No, it's a posh one. I can't have it
Speaker 2 00:26:56 Just changes play. I'm sorry. Didn't it make you Teter one? No, you couldn't actually, you know,
Speaker 3 00:27:02 Your team is called tag tag air airport.
Speaker 2 00:27:05 Yeah. But you're an ambassador. Like I don't know.
Speaker 3 00:27:09 I know, but not of the jitter.
Speaker 2 00:27:11 It'll
Speaker 3 00:27:11 Be conflict of, uh, it'll be the conflict of interest.
Speaker 2 00:27:14 You wanna swap it with my V4?
Speaker 3 00:27:17 Uh, uh,
Speaker 2 00:27:21 You know, the V before <laugh> yeah, I was a tag Hoya port.
Speaker 3 00:27:25 I thought it was a sort of engine now before,
Speaker 2 00:27:28 Well, there was the engine in the 9 1 9 actually, uh, V4. Um, but I was a tag Hoya ambassador when I was racing in Japan and I had the privilege to, to also get a really nice time pieces. And um, and I purchased actually my own V4 with a bit of a discount, but still it was quite a, a special watch me, do you purchase it yourself? Yes. So we are not only ambassadors, but we are also customers exactly. Of the brand that really shows
Speaker 3 00:27:57 True of. Yes, it was limited edition. So I couldn't,
Speaker 2 00:28:00 But actually my, my, uh, my first watch was, uh, AAG, Hoyer. I really, uh, annoyed my parents and um, I mean the poor <laugh> my poor parents. Like they, they were already in limit with, with carting and everything and, but it was my 18th birthday and they wanted to do something nice. And um, and uh, yeah, I got a, um, Tagore link chronograph. So that was, uh,
Speaker 3 00:28:26 So the one that Aton was
Speaker 2 00:28:28 Wearing, yeah, it was big Aton Santa fan. So that inspired me from the beginning on. And um, I mean I turned 18 in 2000, but that time that the link was, was such an iconic at the silver and um, with, um, the black dial. But yeah. Then I was wearing the brown leather strap with the gold, the gold and the white face. So yeah, that was um, 90 style. Pretty cool.
Speaker 3 00:29:01 All Andre. So tell me a bit more about this, uh, one, two area this year, the one that I finished behind you, I was watching you from far away. <laugh> <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:29:11 You mean the Mexico one?
Speaker 3 00:29:12 Yes.
Speaker 2 00:29:13 Um, yeah, it was, uh, a really important moment for the team, uh, to break through for a team like Porsche, putting a lot of effort and resources into from E and, uh, we were very dominant the whole weekend. Um, it's just that for me, it's a bit better to finish second, cuz I think I had a bit the edge in terms of performance, but, um, we worked as a team and um, it was clear from the beginning that, uh, we were not attacking each other. So, uh, I can only blame myself for a little mistake. I made qualifying, which, um, cost me the win, the win, I guess if I would've made it, uh, um, in, in, into the final and, and get the proposition. But, um, yeah, the beginning of the race, it was looking a bit tricky because, uh, we were actually targeting one, uh, lap, uh, more than the others. And um, we had to survive. I was getting a bit backed up into, um, into the field and um, I was telling the team we need to go <laugh> because getting tricky. And then, um, uh, I had a bit more energy, but then, uh, we, we moved forward and then we found ourselves in, in first and second place. And then, uh, uh, even though let's say have more energy or a bit faster, there, there was no fair reason for the team to
Speaker 3 00:30:35 Yeah. Especially stop,
Speaker 2 00:30:36 Uh, places because then actually work against each other. He's gonna try to pass and burn more engineer and me, and I'm gonna try to burn more en energy defending. So then you just go backwards. So we, we had to capital,
Speaker 3 00:30:47 Especially at a good margin, huh. Like, compared to me, I was behind so far away so
Speaker 2 00:30:51 Far. Yeah. So we were really far ahead. So the, I mean, I completely understand that. And uh, so I could only blame myself, you know, for that, but overall the, the, the main, uh, target was achieved for the team and everyone was very happy and um, yeah, it was a, it was a really nice dominant one too. Okay. Try, I ask you a question. There was a lot of pressure during this season finale in New York. Um, how did you deal with that?
Speaker 3 00:31:19 Um, I, um, in the, in the second title, no, when I went on the second day, which did you
Speaker 2 00:31:27 Do the weeks before to prepare?
Speaker 3 00:31:30 Did I do something I forgot? Huh? I, for July in, in the Hamptons,
Speaker 2 00:31:35 I don't know. I wasn't divided. So
Speaker 3 00:31:38 <laugh> so that's why usually <laugh> uh, no, I did nothing special. Um, no, I, I did do some
Speaker 2 00:31:45 When you arrived with quite a good point lead.
Speaker 3 00:31:47 Yeah. The first day, the first day went quite bad. And uh,
Speaker 2 00:31:51 What times were deleted?
Speaker 3 00:31:53 No, no, that was the second year.
Speaker 2 00:31:55 Ah, yeah. The, the
Speaker 3 00:31:57 Second year. Yeah. When I crash with me, yeah. You drove into me. Book
Speaker 2 00:32:01 Has drove into me. I
Speaker 3 00:32:02 Drove
Speaker 2 00:32:03 Then we were both kind of out.
Speaker 3 00:32:05 Yes, yes. This one, this one. So that was the Saturday. Yeah. And, uh, and uh, yeah, Saturday night. I, yeah, I don't think I would've slept, but I watched, uh, what's the name of this movie? I watched the funny movie
Speaker 2 00:32:22 Days of Lander. No, no
Speaker 3 00:32:26 Deadpool. I watched Deadpool. Deadpool. Yes. That made me, uh, that made me laugh. And, uh, I was in good mood for the Sunday. <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:32:35 Don't remember how slim was the point gap or
Speaker 3 00:32:40 That was good enough.
Speaker 2 00:32:41 Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:32:42 That one.
Speaker 2 00:32:43 Which, which would you want the race
Speaker 3 00:32:45 Or you want no, no, no. I won the championship by finishing sixth or sevenths the second day.
Speaker 2 00:32:51 Mm-hmm I think we have to continue here because the next question is, was there a moment when you thought this is isn't going to happen and how did you overcome that?
Speaker 3 00:33:02 No, I never thought that because I had enough point lead. I was just very frustrated not to have won the championship on the, on the first day I wanted to, to be over, uh, with as quickly as possible, but it wasn't. So I think it was more frustration than, uh, than any kind of that. Um, so yeah, no, I never doubted
Speaker 2 00:33:20 In the moment you crossed the line.
Speaker 3 00:33:24 It was nice.
Speaker 2 00:33:26 I bet <laugh>. Do you remember how you felt as you got out of the car? What were your first thoughts?
Speaker 3 00:33:35 Um, the second season, I don't remember the first season. I, um, I was thinking of Juul. Um, when I, when I won the, the championship
Speaker 2 00:33:50 Jordan Bian king. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:33:51 Yeah. So that was, yeah. My first thought was, uh, you were really close to him. No, we were never really close, but I mean, we actually grew up together. We were always the enemies, you know, always fighting hard each other, but our, our parents were very close friends and, and, uh, we know each other since we are nine years old. And, um, so we, we did everything together and, uh, he went to single sitter one year earlier, uh, right in F one, one day, uh, one, one year earlier. But, uh, yeah, I mean, we, we are, we were close and, um, yeah, I thought it was nice to, uh, to think of, I mean, think of him when I won the title. It's like two little kids starting workout making it.
Speaker 2 00:34:33 Yeah. Yeah. Always nice. Yeah. Fortunately he's not there to see it.
Speaker 3 00:34:39 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:34:41 Reminds us that Motorsport is dangerous, right?
Speaker 3 00:34:44 Yeah. No, for sure. The, there are, you know, things are so more important in life than, uh, you know, just a bad result or a good result. And sometimes we, we need relative. Exactly. We need to put things in, in perspective and, uh, you know, enjoy the life. Uh, as long as we, we can be, you know, professional in, in what we do, but, uh, you know, always enjoying it and, uh, giving it our, our maximum, you know, and that's what, uh, that's what I do. And I can see also that's what you do. <laugh> yes. Because, because you are still racing and, um, that comes to question you've driven, like any kind of even formula one, you did race one race with me spa. Yeah. No,
Speaker 2 00:35:25 Actually also when I was 19
Speaker 3 00:35:27 By, so you drove everything, you won everything
Speaker 2 00:35:31 Except for Lee race, unfortunately.
Speaker 3 00:35:34 Yeah. It's gonna come. It's gonna come hide, have face. Um, so what keeps you going?
Speaker 2 00:35:41 What keeps me going? Cause I
Speaker 3 00:35:42 Think you're the oldest driver in the, in the paddock
Speaker 2 00:35:45 Fair to mention. Um, what
Speaker 3 00:35:47 Keeps me you about the flat six, you know, in my PO
Speaker 2 00:35:49 Yeah. Yeah. I'm 40 proud of it still, uh, still kicking. Um, no, truly just the passion. I love what I do. I love the life, the racing driver, you know, it's, I'm fortunate enough to, to, to live from it. And you know, when you race for a team like PORs, you're present them. You're the ambassador, you're in the race of the future. You know, also from Lee, first time you can combine your sport with a strong message for cleaner air, you know, represent like mobility. So it's nice that you can carry that as well. But most of all, just, just, you know, the passion and it's, I've been doing that all my life and it keeps me going. So, um, yeah, I'm still highly motivated and enjoy being in, in the driver's seat. It's a fun thing.
Speaker 3 00:36:42 Yeah. And I, I think it's, uh, it's probably difficult, you know, when, uh, like, you know, Sebastian VI, um, retirement, like he announced that, uh, not long ago. And, um, I think it's, it's difficult to come at some point in your career, you know, is saying, that's it? I mean, what, what, I mean, you can only know more than, than I do obviously, but what goes through your mind? I will tell you. Okay. That's it, I'm, I'm done. I mean, S best inventor was family reasons. Uh, what, what, what would, and what would be your reason?
Speaker 2 00:37:14 Um, well, I'm not a, at a point of family reasons, but I don't think, I mean, you can only, I guess, answer that question if you have family, because it probably changes your whole perspective of life. Uh, I've always been fully dedicated, uh, without compromise to the sport. But, uh, as of now, if I realize that I'm not fast anymore, or that I'm, I'm feeling that I'm in the wrong place or that I'm, I'm not motivated or that I'm, I don't have the ability or, um, I think then at that point in time, I have to be honest to myself and be like, okay, like, uh, that's it. Then the question is, what do you do? Like, do you, um, stop completely? Or because right now we are racing at the highest level of motor support. I mean, there is like formula one and family, they have the best drivers, um, but you can still continue racing and helping, you know, teams, um, maybe in endurance and, um, not completely stop, but just change a bit the level, but that still, you need motivation and you need passion for it.
Speaker 3 00:38:23 So, and you still have the motivation to go years after years, uh, test after test race after races, um, practice session after practice session qualifying after qualifying races, after races to always look at the data corner by corner, like for the 220 kilowatt, like the quality mode, like the settings, the entry, the div, the break balance, the end of break balance out of those settings that you do basically this in a simulator on a raise day, and you keep doing that forever. Like you don't have, I mean, how do you feel? And
Speaker 2 00:39:05 This is, uh, where you, um, feel like you are, you are at work and you have your commitment towards that as a professional driver and have to say, honestly, that Motorsport was a little bit more fun, um, before, um, when I was racing in Japan, um, or in, in, in LMP one, um, because it was not that complex and it was just really about getting into the driver's seat and drive as fast as you can. And then, yeah, you had debriefs and everything, but for me, it's the most complex one and it it's, this is the first time I realized that you have to be professionally committed outside of the car
Speaker 3 00:39:52 And look in every detail
Speaker 2 00:39:53 And look in every detail, but it's for your own good. But, you know, for sure it's tough sometimes, especially for only, uh, like the, the two aspects that are make it really tough is the, the, the simulator, you know, you spend four days in the SIM and it's making you tired in a different way. Like mentally it's raining, you're in this pain cave and, uh, you have to keep going. And, um, but yeah, that's part of your, your commitment to, to yourself, to the team. And that's where you, you know, you, you have to go beyond your, the fun, you know, and it's not only about fun. You know, a lot of people, you know, they spend the whole day, the whole week in the office, you know, we, we, we still are in a privileged position and you have to relative make it relative to that. And, um, I think that's how that, what's the relativity that keeps me going in the professional aspect. And the other one is, you know, for me, races are so intense. And then to this, this week, we're here in London and the schedule is not too bad, but we have to wake up quite often at five 30 in the morning and for free practice at seven, and then you have to do these settings and you're tired. And, uh, but yeah, it's, it's, it's endurance. And it's the, the challenge that keeps you, keeps you going, basically.
Speaker 3 00:41:12 That's true.
Speaker 2 00:41:13 I mean, there's two more questions here. I mean, who were the first people you spoke to, I guess, after your title and the other one is looking back at the season, what do you think gave you the edge over everyone else?
Speaker 3 00:41:26 Uh, what gave me the edge was an amazing teammate.
Speaker 2 00:41:30 <laugh> the right answer. Yes. <laugh>. That's why I read it out. I'm sure he was gonna say that. <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:41:42 Thank you for listening to this very special episode of the edge. Let us know what you thought in the comments, wherever you get your podcast. And if you've enjoyed it, don't forget to subscribe and leave us five stars. It does make a difference. Thank you so much to Andre and Jonique for joining us. I'm your host te van BRCA, and I'll be back next month with another episode of the edge, a podcast by tag Hoya. See you too.
