One of the standout LMP2 talents from 2016, the Brazilian also tested the Porsche 919 Hybrid at the official WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain at the end of the season. Here Luis Felipe - always known as Pipo - Derani talks about his sporting memories.
What is the first sport you remember playing/competing in?
“It was soccer but not long after starting to play, I realised I wasn’t that good at playing!
When did you first remember bring at a race track and what event was it?
“My uncle once took me to an indoor go-kart track when I was about seven years old. Two years after that I started practicing professional go-karting and I did my first ever race when I was 10 years old. It looks like I enjoyed it because here I am as a professional. Times flies!”
If you could have become a professional in any other sport what would it be?
“It would be Tennis. I remember having Tennis classes when I was around 11 or 12 years old and asking myself if I wanted to do that instead of going to the noisy go-kart tracks!
“I loved the environment and how quiet it was but I knew I had to pick one of them and focus on doing it the best I could. I still enjoy playing and it is a fantastic game, great for hand/eye co-ordination and also balance.”
Photo: Velo Images. Alex Zanardi winning gold at the 2012 London Paralympics (at Brands Hatch)
Which sports stars outside of Motorsport do you most admire?
“Can I choose Alex Zanardi because he has shown remarkable dedication and skill in both motorsport and hand-cycling? This guy is just incredible as we all know. He has given all of us a lesson in life that we should never give up. There’s always something positive from every difficult moment we go through. I take my hat off for him and like millions think he is a very special person indeed.”
Which sporting venue other than a race circuit would you like to visit?
“I would love to watch a top Squash competition game. It’s a sport I love and practice as a hobby but never had the chance to watch a professional match. It would be nice to see how the pro’s play and how quick the game is. The top players are super fit and have amazing reflexes.”
Which circuits that are not on the FIA WEC calendar would you most like to drive the ESM Ligier on?
“I think it has to be Monza as it is such an amazing track with so much history and legends. It is also a track that I love to drive and have raced there in F3 and also tested in an LMP2 car. It’s so quick and it would be amazing if WEC could race there one day. I think it is great that the WEC are using it for the Prologue.”
If you could share the cockpit with two racing heroes from the past who would they be?
“Can you imagine if it was possible to race Le Mans alongside Ayrton Senna and Tom Kristensen in the same car? That would be an amazing combination of pure speed with experience, both things you need to win a race like that. They are true greats in our sport and always will be.”
Did you ever go to endurance races as a spectator, if so what memories do you have?
“I have watched the start of the 1000 miles of Interlagos together with my dad many years ago when they used to start the race at midnight. It was something different and honestly I had no idea what I was doing there at that time of the day but I have vivid memories of the cars sweeping through the Senna “S” complex with the lights on. It looked fantastic. It’s amazing to think that is what I do now!”
