Q: After several seasons in GT machinery early in your career, does the chance to go on and drive for organizations like Andretti Green Racing, Dyson Racing and now Patrón Highcroft Racing seem like a dream?
A: “I’ve had some great opportunities and been able to make the most of them; drive and determination have been crucial in my career. I always knew I could do the job given the right circumstances and I’ve been fortunate to have the equipment and the chance to do that.
“A few years ago I had to try and talk people into believing I could do the job, but fortunately the results have come which made it much easier and that is a nice progression to have made.
Brabs and I being where we are now, it’s funny looking back to when we were both part of the Panoz GT program, myself in 2005 and Brabs a year later.
“Brabs has shown his determination, skill and complete focus to put him in this position. Simon is the same. After Champ Car went away he has gone on to show he is one of the fastest LMP drivers in the series.
“For me it has been about hunger and striving to achieve my goals. I’m not quite there yet, but moving to Patrón Highcroft Racing is a big step in the right direction.”
Q: Your brother Dario has obviously had a great career, but do you feel you’re starting to make a name for yourself as Marino Franchitti, not just Dario’s brother?
A: “I really felt I began to make a name for myself back in 2007 in the AGR car. At the end of the day, I am my own man and I drive a completely different discipline of motorsport to my brother.
“When I moved to Dyson people really started to recognize me as an individual, and my second name really didn’t come into it which is really nice.”
Q: What have you been able to learn about the team from guys who you have worked with before and your brother?
A: “I got to observe the team in action from close quarters, so even when I was a rival, everyone was very welcoming at all times.
“The team has a very impressive set-up and you only have to look at the job that they did over the three years of the Acura program to be impressed.
“Knowing a few of the guys at Patron Highcroft I know Duncan has given them the resources to get the job done and looking at the effort they put in at Petit Le Mans over the past two years - rebuilding those cars was nothing short of remarkable.
“Dyson Racing has that same kind of spirit so it is really nice to again be racing with a bunch of guys who love the sport as much as I do.
“Duncan’s passion knows no bounds and that spreads right throughout the team.”
Q: How competitive do you feel the overall prototype class will be next year with LMP1 and LMP2 combined in the American Le Man Series?
A: “There are a few cars out there which are going to be very strong including the Drayson Lola. My old friends at Dyson Racing will also be fast because I know they have been working very hard on new developments.
“It is going to be very interesting to see where everybody is after the rules come out and everybody gets a couple of races under their belt.
“Getting points at every race will be critical and the Patrón Highcroft guys showed that last year, but with all the prototypes in together, it won’t be a matter of just getting points, you’re going to have to be right up the front at every race to be strong in the championship chase.”
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