Miguel Molina and his example after making history at Le Mans: “I always try to instill in young people that not everything is F1”

Michael Molina (Lloret de Mar, February 17, 1989) is the history of Spanish motor racing. He became the first to win a DTM race, but what he achieved last weekend at Le Mans surpassed any record he previously held. You can’t win 24 hours, the race of races, every days. In fact, only two other Spaniards, Marc Gené in 2009 and Fernando Alonso in 2018 and 2019, achieved this. But what made Molina’s victory even more special was that he achieved it while clothed Ferrarithe most famous brand in the world of competition.

MD had the chance to chat with Miguel before the start of the season and he already said that the big thorn in his side was last year’s Le Mans, where a stone in the radiator cut short a dream that seemed so close. He had a terrible time after this and dreamed of having another chance. He had it and he didn’t waste it. Therefore, when we met him at the Ferrari dealership in Barcelona, ​​​​​​his smile and his body showed calmness and a sense of absolute pride.

Miguel, how does it feel to win a race car?

As you can imagine, I was very happy. Above all, we assimilate what happens to us. Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans is something incredible. Many years of work, sacrifices, time away from home… So, it’s all worth it at the sporting level and now I’m enjoying it.

He told us in an interview at the beginning of the year that after what happened last year (when he knocked a stone on the radiator when he had a lot of options), he had a very bad time and the big goal this year is Le Mans even what else. . More than he accomplished…

From the same day we finished the 24 hours last year, it was the goal to come back, to arrive better prepared. It’s true that what happened last year was out of our hands. But what we have in our hands comes prepared, to come with great enthusiasm, with the feeling that it is impossible to face this new edition in a better way.

I think that’s how it happened. Everything went well for us because at various points in the race we had to make decisions that weren’t easy but it seemed to be our day and the truth was that it was reflected.

Tell us how you experienced it because between the rain, the door problem, the lack of energy at the end… everything happened.

Sometimes the rain made decisions that were not easy to make and sometimes we had to stay on the track with dry tires with a lot of water on the track but we knew it would happen quickly. Making those decisions is not easy.

Then we had a door issue with two hours left which cut short our approach but that helped us reinvent ourselves in some ways and those last two hours with less pit-stops than the others we reached the end.

Miguel Molina’s name is already in the history of Spanish motorsports by winning one of the most legendary races with Ferrari. What goals can you set for yourself after achieving this milestone?

I believe that goal has been achieved in this race in which I have been involved for so many years. 24 hours is one of the dreams and achieving it in Ferrari makes it even more special. Yes, it is true that I can say that I can retire peacefully in the future because of this result, but we are pilots. And when we achieve one goal, more will come. Now I think that the goal should be until the end of the World Championship, because we are second, close to the first and there are many races left to achieve it. That will also make us happy.

But how can one change the chip when the great dream of an entire career has been achieved?

Above all there is peace of mind. That peace of mind of saying that a very clear goal has been achieved and it takes a lot of pressure and a big weight off your shoulders. Now it’s time to focus only on continuous development and striving to achieve new challenges. Little more can be said. It was really a very special moment for me.

One of the images of the 24 hours is of Fuoco in the box in the final minutes where the tension is at its highest. What goes through your head in those moments?

Many things. Many years behind this goal, away from home, away from family, sacrifices that are not visible on the outside. For the last ten minutes you just hope the car keeps going and doesn’t stop. Making it even more epic, we knew it was going to be fair because of the energy issue, everything came together and when we saw Nielsen cross the finish line, we jumped for joy. That tension, not anger, came out.

And walk up to the podium with the trophy?

Honestly, at that time I didn’t think much, just enjoy. For everyone to see. The common image of the 24 hours with the common walk from the finish line to the podium through the pit-lane with all the teams applauding is an image that you always want to experience. Truth is something indescribable.

With Palou at Indy, he shows that there are other successful racing options beyond F1. Do you think that from now on the World Endurance Championship will be given more value and the easy comment that ‘he is there because he didn’t get into F1’ will no longer be heard?

In 2019, I had to make a decision to abandon the idea of ​​Formula 1 and focus on being professional in motorsports in other ways. I always try to instill this in young drivers, which is not just F1. Yes, when you are small you have a clear goal because this is the highest category of motorsports.

But I think now the World Endurance Championship is getting a lot of importance. It is the FIA ​​championship with the most brands involved on an official level. And that means there are many more drivers who can commit themselves to that world outside of F1.

And on a personal level, do you expect more changes in your life? More people are paying attention to you, getting to know you, more media attention…

I’m in a way I haven’t changed. I’ve always been pretty real. So whatever comes will come but I will not change. This is a very clear goal but I repeat that it remains to be seen what can come. We will remain one people.

Identify the keys to your success

The work and perseverance of endurance. Persevere in circumstances that are not the most ideal.

To close, in addition to his loved ones, he also had a dedication to the young drivers program of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Tell us about your experience there and how it helped you get to this moment.

From the first moment. At 14 years old I entered the program and I always say that thanks to them I am what I am. They supported me in moments where the family economy prevented me from continuing to develop in the world of motorsports. It is a program in which it supports Catalan pilots in the Generalitat, the Circuit, the Catalan Federation and the RACC.

I was able to spend between six and seven years in the program until I turned professional. Now this result is also part of its history.