Sophia Flörsch does not shut the door on the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The German driver, who has been competing in Formula 3 for two years, does not hide her love for Le Mans. Even though she wants to focus on her progression in single-seater promotional formulas, she keeps the 24 Hours in the back of her mind. She uses her experience in Sarthe to improve in her championship.
Five times in a row in Le Mans. But the last two without a suit or helmet. Even without participating, Sophia Flörsch honors her contract with Alpine and shows up every year in Sarthe in June. This weekend was for the launch of the new car from the French brand, the A290.
After the presentation of the new French electric city car, she evoked her memories on the Le Mans circuit. The German driver raced there three times between 2020 and 2022, with mixed results. On her first participation, she crossed the finish line in ninth place in her category (LMP2). “We were a female trio (with Tatiana Calderon and Beitske Visser). We were rookies here. We asked for advice from the other car entered by Signatech. They had some experience here,” she recalls. “I was only 19 years old. It’s my best result.”
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The following year, she was involved in a crash and had to throw in the towel. Finally, her last appearance as a driver here, in 2022, was with Algarve Pro Racing. There, an incident at the first corner coupled with a mechanical issue prevented any good result. Car number 47 still completed 361 laps. « It’s an intense event. We stay ten days on site, there are many fans; it’s incredible. »
« I do not hide my desire to come back and run here. »
Her frequent presence in this French paddock raises questions. Will she succumb again and once again commit to this legendary double clock tower? The 23-year-old woman does not rule out the idea.
« I do not hide my desire to come back and run here. But how long will it take? Two years? Five years? Ten years? I do not know. For now, I am focusing on Formula 3, with the ambition of quickly reaching F2. We will see.
» The remarks she had already made last year and which she has thus reiterated.
However, when she joined the Alpine Rac(H)er program, she had to commit to short-term endurance racing. The first contact was because I had just done Le Mans with Signatech, which now runs Alpine. But it was clear from the start that we were going to focus on promotional formulas. As evidence, she still hasn’t tested the Hypercar, the A424. Neither in real life, nor on a simulator. We really need to focus on just one championship.
The member of the Alpine Academy was struck by the atmosphere, the level and the complexity of this event. It is one of the most beautiful in the world, she summarizes. Especially this year, as twenty-three cars can compete for the win this Sunday.
In 2025, the field could be even more competitive: the Automobile Club de l’Ouest will require each manufacturer to come with two Hypercars. It’s a decision that makes sense. This, according to her, ensures a bright future for the world endurance championship.
Progress on the horizon in qualifications
With experience in both Formula 3 and endurance racing, Sophia Flörsch believes there are several similarities between the two disciplines, despite being so different. Braking technique and aerodynamics are similar. There is also this aspect of fuel economy, tires… An area where the Grünwald native excels with Van Amersfoort Racing.
In racing, the German driver is always more successful than in qualifying. This often means she has to start from the back of the grid. This aspect costs her good results, even though she always manages to climb up in the standings.
She is looking to improve on the quick turn exercise to take off from a better position. And thus maximize the chances of finishing in the Top 10. The track evolves constantly between Friday morning and qualifications. You have to find the perfect settings, the right tire pressure… It must be done correctly to exploit the car to 100%.
Last season, Sophia Flörsch managed to break into the Top 10 twice . « But I was disqualified in one of the races »,” she recalls.
This performance made her the first woman to open her account in Formula 3. « I am proud of her. I hope the same will be the case this season as well. » She will try to achieve this in Barcelona on June 23.
