Oreca: “Enriching experience”

Olivier Panis could feel frustrated by the end of the event before the halfway mark. Third driver after the relays Nicolas lapierre and Romain Dumas, the Grenoblois only had time to do a few laps before the red flag appeared, for heavy rain. “ If the race had not been stopped, all the cars would have ended up in the gravel trap on the next lap, tempers the former pilot of Formula 1, far from making this short driving time an illness. It?s a shame for everyone, but it?s a logical decision for safety. Even in first gear, we were sliding! I had never experienced such a long and violent downpour during a race. Of course, I would have preferred to drive more, but it is what it is. We came to learn, we learned. In the race, we had nothing to be ashamed of compared to the Acuras, on the contrary. Nicolas then Romain demonstrated it. »

Romain Dumas, second relay during the race, came as reinforcement to give Oreca the benefit of his American experience. Even if the race did not go to the end, the Cévenol is pleased with the result and the work done for the next 24 Hours of Le Mans. " Oreca came to prepare for Le Mans and I think that was the case. Before the race, we were hoping to battle with the Acuras; we finish in front. This is one of the positive points. The team also managed the various neutralizations well. When I took the wheel, the objective was clear: to create a gap on the Acura/Highcroft. Like Nicolas, I was able to outrun this car, but this time the safety car did not reduce our efforts to zero and we took a lap in advance. Then, I was a bit between two waters: on the one hand, I really wanted to attack; on the other I had to think about securing 5th place and not taking the slightest risk. In the dry, the car was pretty good, especially on the fast side. On the wet, it was even better! »

For Silvertsone pole sitter, Nicolas Lapierre, this fifth place is a small victory. The author of the first relay above all recognizes that, despite the short duration of the race, Oreca?s initial objectives were fulfilled. “ Our American experience has been enriching. We have made continuous progress. In the race, the car behaved quite well, but the tires deteriorated and we had to anticipate our first pit-stop. We were then among the first to put on slicks: it was the right decision and, on a drying track, the ORECA 01 was really good. On a demanding track, for both the drivers and the car, we were faster than the Acuras! »

If Oreca managed to outrun the Acuras, it should be noted that they were not spared from the glitches. The #9 from Patron Highcroft Racing performed well in the race but had to be completely rebuilt after Scott Sharp's terrible accident during free practice, and starting from the pits at the start of the race. As for Ferran's #66, it was hit by the Lola Intersport, before Scott Dixon sent it into a wall of tires.