Gounon: Dubai 24H Rewards ‘Intelligent’ Racing

Mercedes-AMG star Jules Gounon reckons that teams that approach the Hankook 24H Dubai with a more well thought out, conservative approach will have a greater chance of success due to the unique nature of the event.

Gounon, an overall podium finisher in last year’s race, is part of the lineup for the No. 4 Abu Dhabi Racing by HRT Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo alongside Khaled al Qubaisi, Hubert Haupt and Sebastian Baud.

The Dubai enduro, which traditionally kicks off the sports car racing year, is one of the few major long-distance races that Gounon is yet to win. Co-drivers Al Qubaisi and Haupt are both multiple-time winners.

Gounon points to some of the unique characteristics of the 24H Dubai as reasons why the event stands out from others, naming the unique refueling structure as an example.

As opposed to other events, cars in this race can only be refueled in a dedicated refueling area located at the end of the pitlane.

“We should focus on ourselves,” Gounon told Sportscar365.

“This race is kind of crazy, you still have a fuel pump like if you were going to a supermarket and this makes it quite tricky because if you arrive and there’s a long queue you can easily lose a minute.

“And since there’s no safety car in the race, every time loss is a time loss. So it’s a very special event, but it’s always great to be here and start the year with sunshine.”

Race strategy is further complicated by the fact that organizing body Creventic does not make use of traditional safety cars, instead working with the Code 60 system for race neutralizations.

Combined with a relatively large number of amateur drivers in slower GT4 and TCR machinery, and it makes for a race that requires for a different approach compared to other 24-hour races like those at Spa-Francorchamps or Daytona.

As a result, Gounon estimates that teams that tackle the race with a more savvy, cautious mindset are more likely to finish at the sharp end after 24 hours.

“There’s no safety car and no way to recover time,” Gounon said.

“If you lose five seconds because of a bad driver change and you do 20 pitstops, you lose one minute and thirty seconds.

“That’s nearly a lap. So in this race it’s super important to get all the basics right. So proper pitstops, proper strategy, no penalties.

“And there’s so much traffic, so many incidents, problems and unlucky moments during fuel stops that it’s really a race where you kind of need to take it like you are in the eighties.

“Save your car and be good in traffic. You are not looking for the ultimate pace, because you can not drive at 105 percent in traffic.

“You need to move off line and you’ll get some pickup on the tires. It’s really something unique.

“In Spa, you know that if you lose the lead lap, it is done because you drive at a 105 percent for entire stints.

“Here, you need to have a larger approach and think about the big picture. You need to think much more. On strategy, on drivers: more intelligence [pays off].”

Gounon: WRT “Will Be There” With New Cars

Gounon reckons that Team WRT will have no trouble hitting the ground running with its new BMW M4 GT3s.

The Belgian powerhouse squad has entered a pair of cars for its first race outing since moving away from Audi.

The team has completed an intensive testing regiment and will make its race debut with the M4 GT3 in a lineup supported by several BMW M Motorsport factory drivers.

Despite the new machinery, Gounon has little doubt that the Vincent Vosse-led operation will be a strong contender for a second consecutive overall victory.

“I know Vincent and his team, they’re one of the best teams in the world and I’m sure it’s not their first test with the car,” he said.

“I think they drove a lot during the winter so I know they will be there. This team is a team that will be there.

“We will target to be at their level. What they accomplished with Audi is simply amazing, unbelievable.

“I really don’t think this year is going to be any easier than last year.

“There’s good cars and good teams, so we need to stay humble, work hard, mind our own business and really focus on us trying to not get penalties, make contact or get problems at the fuel pump and then we’ll see on Sunday afternoon.”