Perera Looking to “Prove Myself” in LMP2 Debut

Franck Perera says he is looking to ‘prove himself’ in prototype machinery as he competes in the LMP2 class for the first time in his career at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will also see him reunited with TDS Racing ten years after a championship-winning season in the European Le Mans Series.

The Lamborghini factory driver was brought into the lineup for the No. 48 VDS Panis Racing Oreca 07 Gibson for the French endurance classic, which receives operational support from the Xavier Combet-led TDS squad.

Perera is sharing driving duties with Ollie Gray and Esteban Masson, serving as a replacement for Alpine Hypercar driver Charles Milesi.

The Frenchman made his Le Mans debut last year with Iron Lynx when the Italian squad was still running Lamborghini machinery, driving a Huracan GT3 EVO2 alongside Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni.

This weekend’s event marks the first time Perera has raced in a prototype, coming after a lengthy tenure in GT racing, having served as a factory driver for Lamborghini since 2018.

“I was lucky to have a long career in open wheels, until 2008 more or less,” Perera told Sportscar365.

“But since that, I tested a prototype just two times, with Prema and TDS. No races. So it’s a big challenge for sure.

“But the team is strong. TDS and Panis are both strong cars. Strong lineup, young guys.

“This makes me very motivated, but for sure it’s not easy. I have to take a lot of [things] step by step.

“I have huge experience for sure, but in this category, no. So I’m really trying to bring things together and at the moment it’s going okay.”

Perera has a successful history with TDS through a two-year stint in ELMS, culminating in a GTC title in 2015.

That year, Perera shared a BMW Z4 GT3 with Eric Dermont and Dino Lunardi in the GT3-based category, taking two class victories en route to the championship.

“So we won the [entry] for Le Mans and we were supposed to do [it in] 2016 in GTE,” Perera said.

“We [had] an agreement with Aston to [create] a GTE program for that time, but the Bronze driver stopped one week before the Prologue because of money.

“So in that time in March, I had no seat. Xavier [Combet] had an LMP2 with Thiriet so they could continue, but for me it was really a difficult moment. 

“I missed the first time to do Le Mans in that year. Then I had a lot of contact and started with ISR and Audi in 2016.

“I had a really good season and made my name in GTs. I was close to signing with Audi, but they had the diesel problems at that time and I went to HTP [Motorsport].

“Then Lamborghini came to me and everything started. So in the end [missing Le Mans] was a negative moment, but sometimes you have a positive in the negative.”

The 41-year-old noted that he also has an existing relationship with Panis Racing boss Olivier Panis, who raced for the Toyota Formula One operation at the same time the up-and-coming Frenchman was a test driver there.

“I think they all spoke together because I think they know what kind of driver I am since I’ve been young, what speed and experience I have and also how I help the team,” said Perera.

“I think you can’t just be fast. You have to bring a kind of atmosphere and be [good] around the drivers. They are also young.

“I think our car on paper is young and fast, but we all have not so much experience.

“So that’s why we are coming step by step since [test day] and what is important is to build the confidence for the race.”

Perera hinted he is going into his first LMP2 start with an open mindset, looking to “prove himself” in prototype competition after more than a decade in GT racing.

“For me, this is to see what I can create at 41 with, strange to say, no experience in that category, what can [doors] can open after Le Mans,” Perera said.

“I don’t like to live with regrets, so I try to see what’s happening and I want to do a good job for who gives me the opportunity, but in the end, life continues.

“For all of us, it’s a gift to be in this sport. You have to see what’s happening in the world and what is around you and I think you have to enjoy it. Life continues.”