British team Manor have added endurance racing to their impressive array of formula that the team have excelled in over the years.  Under the directorship of John Booth and Graeme Lowdon, Manor have entered two LMP2 class Oreca 05s in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship with an impressive line up of drivers. 

We caught up with Jakes at Paul Ricard and ahead of the first race of the season at Silverstone.

Q: How have you found switching from single seaters to a Le Mans Prototype?

“It’s been fun actually.  It’s been about five years since I was last at Paul Ricard and I’ve never actually driven the full circuit.  If you pick anywhere to come and test the car, Paul Ricard is one of the top places.  It’s been good, we’ve covered a lot of laps, I think we did over 950 kilometres.  The plan is to keep running and learning and I think that’s the way to put ourselves in a good position for Silverstone.”

Q: Silverstone is the first race, your home race for both you and the team.  Will this put more pressure on you?

“It will be nice to be back there and it will be good to try and win the race, or at least a podium.  We will be quick and we will get there.  We just got to be sure we don’t miss anything.  We just have to get some points and we’ll see where we finish at Silverstone. But it would be great to get a good result at home.”

Q: Everyone in motorsport knows the Manor name; do you think the expectation to do well is high?

“When you see the driver line up, when you look at the support here in the garage with a great team of mechanics and engineers, Manor is not here to make up the numbers, we’re here to win.  When John (Booth) was putting this together it was a great opportunity to do well and also be part of a world championship that is very cool.  It’s very unique and is getting global recognition very quickly.  Even when I was racing in IndyCar last year I followed WEC more than I did Formula One because the racing is awesome.  Another thing the calendar is great and is truly global, it’s great for partners, investors and sponsors of the series and it is just a cool championship to be involved in.”

Q: Which of the tracks we will visit in 2016 have you not done before?

“I’ve not done Fuji, I’ve not done Mexico City and I haven’t done Austin but I’m still living in the States so I may go for a visit in a good road car to get some laps in before we go there.  The tracks are all awesome and that was another deciding factor in coming here. I’m looking forward to the 2016 season.”