Double ELMS Champion Memo Rojas had a challenging 2021 European Le Mans Series season with the Duqueine Team, taking a podium at Spa-Francorchamps and finishing 5th overall in the title race despite a big incident at Portimão that resulted in the only DNF of the season.
The highly experienced Mexican driver will be back with Duqueine Team in 2022, with two new teammates, 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class winner Richard Bradley and 18-year-old French driver Reshad de Gerus, who finished as Vice Champion in the 2019 French F4 Championship.
Memo Rojas spoke to us from Mexico on his thoughts on last year and how this season will go for himself and the French team.
The highly experienced Mexican driver will be back with Duqueine Team in 2022, with two new teammates, 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class winner Richard Bradley and 18-year-old French driver Reshad de Gerus, who finished as Vice Champion in the 2019 French F4 Championship.
Memo Rojas spoke to us from Mexico on his thoughts on last year and how this season will go for himself and the French team.
Q: How would you sum up your 2021 season?
Memo Rojas: “Well, 2021 was a very challenging season, I think it's one of the most competitive seasons I've had in the ELMS. As you know I've been in ELMS since 2016, I've managed to win two championships and I've been witness to the level of competition; how it has increased the last few years and 2021 was a really tough one.
“We managed to finish fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, and I think we did a really good job, especially because we had DNF at the end of the of the year. With consistency, we managed to beat some really strong teams, but now we need to focus on performance, and I think we can be strong in 22.”
Q: Richard Bradley and Reshad de Gerus will be joining you at Duqueine this season. Can you tell us more about your new teammates?
MR: “Always very excited to have new teammates. I know Richard, we've raced against each other for the last few years. I know how talented he is, I know how good of a driver he is.
“Reshad is one of the up-and-coming great youngsters with a good future. I always enjoy working with young drivers because there's a lot of experience in my career that I enjoy giving to my teammates. I've managed to win the championship with a rookie, with the young and talented driver Leo Roussel in 2017 and also with Paul Lafargue in 2019.
“So, I hope I can share a lot of my experience with Reshad and Richard, who is very experienced as well, and fight for the championship. That is the goal. So I’m excited as always to work with my new teammates!”
Q: The LMP2 grid for the 2022 season is looking very strong once again. Who do you see as your main rivals this year and what are your goals for the upcoming season?
MR: Well, you know, the LMP2 class is getting stronger and stronger every year. Who can win the championship? Who's going to be strong? Everybody!
“I mean, the level of competition is quite strong. I can see teams like United Autosports, G-Drive and Inter Europol? I mean, there's so many teams that will be fighting for this.IDEC as well, of course. So, I think there's probably eight to ten teams that can be fighting for the championship. Panis Racing as well. So, it will be a tough one.
“My goal is to fight for the championship. I decided and I'm excited to stay with Duqueine in 2022 because I always have found my best performances with teams that have been staying consistent with the same level, with the same engineering teams; ideally the same drivers, although this year have new teammates.I’ve worked with Duqueine a lot over the winter to understand what we need to do to take it to the next level.The team is working amazingly hard to make this happen.
“So, I think you know we can challenge all the top teams and we finished fifth in the championship last year. So, hopefully we can finish a few steps better.”
Q: Looking ahead to the ELMS season, which is your favourite track and why?
MR: “Well, I love ELMS tracks you know, they're all challenging. They're some of the best tracks in the world.
“I used to enjoy Silverstone a lot, although we haven't raced there since the pandemic. So, I would say Spa is one of my favourite tracks. I know it's one of every driver’s favourite track, so maybe it's a cliché, but there's a reason why all drivers love it. I love the elevation changes. I love the challenging corners like Raidillon, Eau Rouge etc. I can't wait to get back there this year.”
Q: How would you sum up your 2021 season?
Memo Rojas: “Well, 2021 was a very challenging season, I think it's one of the most competitive seasons I've had in the ELMS. As you know I've been in ELMS since 2016, I've managed to win two championships and I've been witness to the level of competition; how it has increased the last few years and 2021 was a really tough one.
“We managed to finish fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, and I think we did a really good job, especially because we had DNF at the end of the of the year. With consistency, we managed to beat some really strong teams, but now we need to focus on performance, and I think we can be strong in 22.”
Q: Richard Bradley and Reshad de Gerus will be joining you at Duqueine this season. Can you tell us more about your new teammates?
MR: “Always very excited to have new teammates. I know Richard, we've raced against each other for the last few years. I know how talented he is, I know how good of a driver he is.
“Reshad is one of the up-and-coming great youngsters with a good future. I always enjoy working with young drivers because there's a lot of experience in my career that I enjoy giving to my teammates. I've managed to win the championship with a rookie, with the young and talented driver Leo Roussel in 2017 and also with Paul Lafargue in 2019.
“So, I hope I can share a lot of my experience with Reshad and Richard, who is very experienced as well, and fight for the championship. That is the goal. So I’m excited as always to work with my new teammates!”
Q: The LMP2 grid for the 2022 season is looking very strong once again. Who do you see as your main rivals this year and what are your goals for the upcoming season?
MR: Well, you know, the LMP2 class is getting stronger and stronger every year. Who can win the championship? Who's going to be strong? Everybody!
“I mean, the level of competition is quite strong. I can see teams like United Autosports, G-Drive and Inter Europol? I mean, there's so many teams that will be fighting for this.IDEC as well, of course. So, I think there's probably eight to ten teams that can be fighting for the championship. Panis Racing as well. So, it will be a tough one.
“My goal is to fight for the championship. I decided and I'm excited to stay with Duqueine in 2022 because I always have found my best performances with teams that have been staying consistent with the same level, with the same engineering teams; ideally the same drivers, although this year have new teammates.I’ve worked with Duqueine a lot over the winter to understand what we need to do to take it to the next level.The team is working amazingly hard to make this happen.
“So, I think you know we can challenge all the top teams and we finished fifth in the championship last year. So, hopefully we can finish a few steps better.”
Q: Looking ahead to the ELMS season, which is your favourite track and why?
MR: “Well, I love ELMS tracks you know, they're all challenging. They're some of the best tracks in the world.
“I used to enjoy Silverstone a lot, although we haven't raced there since the pandemic. So, I would say Spa is one of my favourite tracks. I know it's one of every driver’s favourite track, so maybe it's a cliché, but there's a reason why all drivers love it. I love the elevation changes. I love the challenging corners like Raidillon, Eau Rouge etc. I can't wait to get back there this year.”
