Le Mans – Pla: Nissan must prepare for 2016

The beautiful presentation speeches of the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo are a long way away. The Japanese manufacturer's first LMP1, the No. 23 driven by Jann Mardenborough, is at 21 seconds from provisional pole and finds himself behind the KCMG Oreca 05, first in the LMP2 category.

Olivier Pla, teammate of Jann Mardenborough and Max Chilton, is aware of the gap that separates his mount from the best. “The concept is very different. The car was only driven for the first time in December », recalled the Toulouse resident to AUTOhebdo. “Several things caused us to waste time and not everything is necessarily blamed on Nissan. The weather could work in our favor if rain falls during the race. If conditions are good this evening we will look to be in front of all the LMP2s."

However, the Frenchman is pinning his hopes on the future development of the car which will compete in its first competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans without another preparation race. “ We are aware thatthere are a lot of reviews », indicated Olivier Pla. “The objective is to go as far as possible, to try to finish the race to collect as much information as possible for 2016. We have a lot of catching up to do. »

Nissan will be able to try to place its GT-R LM Nismo ahead of the LMP2s this Thursday, June 11 from 19 p.m.