Le Mans – Signatech Nissan ready for the 24 Hours

For the first time in its history, the team of Philippe Sinault and Didier Calmels will enter two cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 16-17). The No. 03 Oreca 23-Nissan will be entrusted to the trio Franck Mailleux-Olivier Lombard-Jordan Tresson. As for the sister car, the No. 26, it will see Nelson Panciatici, Roman Rusinov and Pierre Ragues take turns at the wheel. Last Sunday, the two cars filed down the tarmac of the Sarthe circuit, not looking for timekeeping performance, but rather to work in preparation for the race, and to acclimatize to the “Le Mans Kit”. And first of all, we had to make the rookies complete the 10 obligatory laps.

At the end of the day, all the drivers agreed that the car was well balanced, even if a punctured radiator somewhat disrupted the work of the Bourges team. “We had a busy day, underlines Franck Mailleux. We were able to do some productive work putting us in the best possible conditions for the first free practice session (Wednesday June 13 at 18 p.m. Editor’s note). We completed a lot of laps. Although we do not underestimate the challenge, we are confident about our competitiveness.”

Optimism is therefore required on the side of the native of St-Malo. An optimism shared by his boss Philippe Sinault. The latter, after finishing second in LM P2 last year, envisages nothing other than victory. “This day is essential in the preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, He explains. It allows everyone to put themselves in conditions. The objective is obviously not to compete for performance, but to validate the technical and strategic choices one last time. The fight in LM P2 is going to be a hell of a challenge and we have to be ready! 20 cars are entered in this category, which are more efficient and with a good level of driving. We will have to redouble our strategy and efforts. We will have to be very attentive, because I sincerely think that the show will be put on within this category itself, more than in LM P1”. Winning it will only be more beautiful...

Discover in your AUTOhebdo magazine, on newsstands since this Wednesday or available here in digital version, the analysis of the test day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans by our specious envoys in Sarthe.