Olivier Pla has been playing a central role in putting Ford in contention for the GT FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Championship.  The American manufacturer is currently on 135 points, level with Ferrari, at the top of the points table. 

Olivier Pla and Stefan Mücke has scored one podium finish in the first four races this season, while their teammates, former FIA World Touring Car Drivers Champion Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell are at the top of the drivers’ standings with an 11 point advantage ahead of this weekend’s 6 Hours of Mexico.

We caught up with Olivier Pla to talk about the season so far and his role in Ford’s challenge for the first FIA GT world endurance crown.

Q: How has the season gone so far?

“This season has been a little bit difficult.  We had a podium in Spa, but we had a problem in Le Mans, so we lost a lot of laps to fix it. But that’s motor racing and we have five races remaining.  We want to score maximum points for Ford and to try to win the races.

Q: Ford is tied with Ferrari for the world championship. The competition is very tough in GTE this year?

“It is a very tight championship; you cannot take anything for granted.  This championship is very important for Ford and we will be very focused on that in Mexico and for the rest of the season.”

Q: Last year it was an FIA World Endurance Cup, this year it is an FIA World Endurance Championship.  Does that change anything on how you approach the races for you as a driver or for the team?

“For me personally it doesn’t change anything, my aim is still to win and try to do the best I can.  However it is important at the end of the season as competing for world championship is very special for both the drivers and the manufacturers.”

Q: The next race is in Mexico.  This will be the second visit to Central America by the WEC.  What are your thoughts on the event?

“Mexico is not the favourite track for our car, there are a lot of slow corners and hairpins. We will push hard and try to take the maximum points we can. After Mexico the tracks will suit our car better so let’s see.”

The 6 Hours of Mexico is Round 5 of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship and takes place in Mexico City on Sunday 3 September.