Los Angeles (AFP)

"When we have fun, we do things well": serene and determined, Simon Pagenaud is about to put his crown on the line at the Indianapolis 500 on August 23, where he is entering the qualifying week with "confidence huge".

Q: In what state of mind are you approaching this return to Indianapolis?

A: "Coming back as the title holder gives me enormous confidence, I have the ambition to win back, that's for sure. I'm ready, I've never been so good physically, mentally. It's the race that I look forward to every year. I can't wait to be there, to have fun behind the wheel of my car. I believe in the idea that when you have fun, you do things well. "

Q: Are you entering the race with less weight?

A: "Yes, the fact of having won it, I know it is done. When we arrive at the 500 Miles, there is always this question that everyone asks: + will I win them one day? + And it's a feeling that puts a lot of pressure on you. I can focus on the present moment, rather than the result at hand, which is never good for performance. "

Q: How did you prepare the car?

A: "The 500 Miles car is predefined at the start of the year. It is a separate car, it is not in the rotation of the season, which allows the mechanics and preparers to give it a maximum of 'Attention. We are very happy with the assembly. I have the impression of arriving at a race well prepared. The exam does not scare me. "

Q: What kind of race do you expect?

A: "Tire wear will play a role, it will be August. It's important to know at what time of the day the track will be the most slippery, to know what level of downforce to adopt at the start. I expect a different race, more difficult, with a lot of unknowns. We only have three days of practice before qualifying and after that it's the race. So it will be important to have a setting of immediately efficient base. "

Q: You have struggled at times in qualifying this season. How do you prepare these?

A: "We understood the concerns we may have had on certain tracks. Penske is a speed laboratory, it's a team that knows how to make the car go as fast as possible with the least possible friction. will be competitive in qualifying, no doubt. "

Q: How do you work with your teammates?

A: "Normally, without what the Covid imposes, we have four desks that are placed next to each other. And we have a large table that Penske has brought to the 500 Miles every year for 50 years. people gather there at the end of the day to debrief and make sure that everyone is familiar with each other's settings. We are open book and each one makes their choices. "

Q: We saw you comfortable on the ovals this season ...

A: "By starting last in Iowa to finally win, I did mark the occasion. I hope the competitors fear me! I won here last year, I already won the championship."

Q: Can Fernando Alonso be a serious contender this year?

A: "I am more focused on myself, but I am happy that he is coming back for the adventure. He is a great motorsport champion. I hope he will be at the forefront, to fight with it. him and be in front at the end. "

Q: Does running such a race behind closed doors change a lot?

A: "A lot. The atmosphere will be different, we will have the impression of running a practice session when it's the biggest race in the world. We will have to find the energy elsewhere. If I win I will not miss it. not to share the victory with people. "

Interview at a press conference.

© 2020 AFP