ELMS – Franck Mailleux disappointed but not dejected

In its press release, Morand Racing insisted on the fact that your replacement by Christian Klien was carried out above all for financial reasons. This must be all the more frustrating for you?
I am obviously very disappointed to no longer have a steering wheel for the last two meetings of the season. However, I remain happy with the opportunity offered by Morand Racing with whom I was able to race at 24 Hours of Le Mans and achieve good results. We found good harmony with the team and Natacha (Gachnang. Editor's note) since we remain on two consecutive podiums won at Imola and Red Bull Ring and we parted on good terms. I was aware that it would be difficult to play the entire season ofELMS with the team because we were too tight financially. It's sad that teams are forced to constantly rely on paid drivers. Ultimately, my disappointment is mitigated by the fact that I am replaced by a driver of the caliber of Christian Klien who nevertheless has to bring money to have a wheel!

Do you think you can find a place in another LM P2 team to compete at the end of the season?
Certainly I would be delighted to have an offer for the end of the ELMS, even if it would be a strange situation to find myself facing my old team. I know that this risks being too fair for the Hungaroring which will be contested on September 14. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful for the final at Paul-Ricard because the teams always seek to showcase themselves at the end of the season to obtain contracts the following year. I know this circuit by heart because we were already testing there in 2009 when I was riding the Courage-Oreca LC70 at Signature.

Do you have any ideas for next year?
We are in discussions with partners, but we can hardly progress without a program. My track record and experience are not enough to make up for the lack of financial support. Moving away from the circuits risks complicating my research due to the lack of media coverage. I nevertheless remain open to any proposal, whether in Endurance or in another discipline. We must not forget that I played several seasons in car (three years in Formula Renault 2.0 and two in F3 Euro Series. Editor's note) and in GT, notably participating in the VLN Championship when I was an official Volkswagen driver. Finding the pelotons of these disciplines would not displease me!