Oreca does not lack appetite

Oreca, after a 2009 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans already very satisfying, continues his desire to grow in the world of?Endurance. The Var team, one year after its fifth place thanks to the Oreca 01 AIM “essence” of Olivier Panis, Nicolas lapierre and Soheil Ayari, approaches the Le Mans classic with rising ambitions. This year, Hugues de Chaunac's team will be equipped with the car that won the event last year, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. After a first test at Le Castellet, then a race reduced to its strict minimum at Spa, the Peugeot-Oreca will face the 24 Hours of Le Mans during its third competitive outing.

« We wanted a car to compete for the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we got it. » confides Hugues de Chaunac. “ It is an exceptional opportunity that we have given ourselves and also an obvious responsibility. That of putting a Peugeot on the podium at Le Mans. We have two objectives, inseparable from each other: The first is to be at the finish without committing any mistakes, whether on the part of the team or the drivers. The second objective follows directly from the achievement of the first because it must lead us to the podium! »

In order to shine at Le Mans, Oreca has put together a complementary and very sharp squad. The young but no less fast Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc duval will be associated with the experienced Olivier Panis, former pilot of F1. " Driving the car that won the last edition is a mix of pride, happiness and serenity too. “, explains Panis. “ The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP is the benchmark for Endurance. This is a fantastic opportunity. You have to seize it, make the most of this opportunity and not put too much pressure on yourself. »

While the inspection of the No. 908 Peugeot 4 will take place on Monday morning, David Floury knows that Oreca arrives at Le Mans with a somewhat truncated preparation. “ We were rather unlucky in our preparation », confides the technical director of the Signes team. “ In Spa, our dress rehearsal was cut short following a racing event. But that’s not what’s going to stop us! It's up to us to be ready, to be good. We were already in the game last year, with an intelligent race. We have to duplicate it this year, knowing that we have the car to fight with the best. We can do well. The crew is solid, with experience, youth, and we showed at Spa that we are competitive? »