Nicolas Lapierre impatient to fight

He finished the 2009 LMS with a victory at the 1000 km of Silverstone. Nicolas lapierre hopes to be able to repeat the feat this weekend at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet. After more than 4000 km covered, the Frenchman is eager to make his competitive debut behind the wheel of the Peugeot 908 Oreca.

“Impatience. This is the word that describes well my state of mind when taking the road towards the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit, declares the native of Thonon-les-Bains on his website. It is on this track, on which I have become accustomed to driving since my arrival at ORECA, that I will compete in my first race of the season. My first race with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP too. Can't wait to get back behind the wheel, as always. Looking forward to competing in a high-level championship! »

As throughout the season, Nicolas Lapierre will be associated with his usual teammate Olivier Panis. The two friends will be joined for this event by the official Peugeot driver Stéphane Sarrazin, for whom the car no longer holds any secrets.

“With Olivier (Panis), we will have the support of Stéphane Sarrazin, official Peugeot driver,” continues the ex-GP2 driver. This will be an important asset for us: we will discover more of the 908? and faster. Beyond his experience, Stéphane will bring us his burst of speed. This corresponds perfectly to our dual mission. As far as we are concerned, we can start from a good base: 4000km covered in tests. We also know the circuit which hosts this first round well since we prepared there for the last two seasons. Furthermore, the timing is less “tense” than last year: we did the car shakedown with more margin than in the past. This allows all the mechanics to arrive in top shape. Moreover, they have started a physical preparation program to be ready! I too have prepared myself well physically over the last few weeks. I also carefully analyzed the data that we had stored during the Official Tests. Everything is in place. There is no more? As Olivier said: we have all the assets to do well. You have to make this happen on the track, without putting too much pressure on yourself. It remains our first race with the Peugeot. »

It promises?

Find in your AUTOhebdo magazine, currently on newsstands, the complete presentation of the 8 Hours of Le Castellet (with all the practical information) and a historical subject on Paul Ricard and endurance.