The team will join a thirteen car strong entry in the Hypercar class, competing against Toyota, Porsche, Peugeot, Ferrari and Cadillac.
Tom Dillmann raced in LMP1 in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the top class on several occassions but, with such a strong entry, he knows this season will provide an even bigger challenge than he faced in previous years.
We caught up with Tom as he and the team prepare for the start of the WEC season at Sebring in less than two months' time.
Q: Congratulations on joining the 2023 FIA WEC grid in the Hypercar category with the Floyd Vanwall Racing Team. Have you driven the new Vanwall Vandervell 360 car yet?
Tom Dillmann: “Thank you. Yes of course, I did most of the testing together with Esteban Guerrieri. It is still a prototype with the same power as an LMP1 but heavier and on a lower downforce/drag configuration. So it’s less ‘planted’.”
Q: You will be racing alongside former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve and former 24 Hours of Nürburgring winner and touring car legend Esteban Guerrieri. Have you worked with them before?
TD: “I actually met Esteban when I first tested a FRenault 3.5. It was a test for all the champions of Formula 3 and Formula Renault 2.0 and, as I drove his car, he was there to help. We finished first in that test and we kept in touch ever since. I also know JV a little bit and I look forward to sharing a car with this legend!”
Q: You have raced in LMP1 in 2018/19 and in 2020 with the Bykolles Racing Team, so you know the WEC and the team. However, this season sees 13 cars in the Hypercar category, with works teams from Toyota, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Cadillac. What are the realistic goals for yourself and the team in 2023?
TD: “It will be a fantastic grid and we can only be motivated to go against those big names. Being a small team we will need to punch above our weight. From my point of view the regulations should allow us to be competitive but there is still a lot to do on the operational side and we as a team need to do a perfect job. That involves every crew member.
“In Sebring it will be the beginning and we will need some time for the team to operate at a very high level together. From then on we will need to improve step by step to be ready at Spa and Le Mans and really see what we can do.”
Q: The first race is at Sebring in March. What are your thoughts on the track, especially the infamous uneven track surface?
TD: “I have never driven in Sebring so far but it looks like a tough one to master and one that needs a bit of time and respect to be on the limit. A good challenge!”
Q: You’ve raced at Le Mans in LMP1 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and, of course, you won the first Road to Le Mans race with Alexander Mattschull last June. The 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans is going to be very special as the ACO celebrate 100 years since the first race in 1923. As a driver, and a Frenchman, what makes Le Mans special for you?
TD: “Le Mans is part of my youth, I watch the race since I’m 8 years old almost in full and have a lot of memories watching through the night. I love the track and have felt instantly at home the first time I drove it in 2014 for the Carrera Cup race.
“When you have passion for motorsport since you are a child, it is the kind of tracks you already know a lot of details of even though you have never driven it. I felt the same in Monaco GP2 for exemple.”
Q: Which of the other circuits on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar are you looking forward to the most and why?
TD: “Spa is always a highlight due to the layout even though the six hour is often a crazy race with the weather! I think Fuji with the fans is awesome too.”
Q: What did winning the Michelin Le Mans Cup title in 2022 mean to you? Did winning this series help you with your move to WEC in 2023?
TD: “The truth is that I raced in Michelin Le Mans Cup as the Vanwall Hypercar was not yet race ready for the 2022 season. It ended up being a great season and I enjoyed it a lot with a good team (Racing Spirit of Leman) and a top teammate.
“It is always good to win races and championships, my third in cars. It was also good to win this one in particular because LMC being PRO/AM I was able to involve my abilities for coaching in the result.”
For more information on the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship visit www.fiawec.com
