With French driver Pierre Ragues teaming up with Christian Klien and Gary Hirsch, NewBlood by Morand Racing will be more than ever in contention for overall victory in the third round of the 2014 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), to be competed on the Red Bull Ring (Austria) on July 20.
Born January 10, 1984, Pierre Ragues is a driver of great experience in the LMP2 class who clinched the ELMS drivers’ title in 2013. His race record also boasts eight starts and two top 5 finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including the third position in the category in 2008. A fast and reliable driver, he finished all the 2013 ELMS events in the top 5 with one victory.
With Christian Klien from Austria, the only former Formula One driver to compete in the LMP2 class of the 2104 ELMS, and LMPC class reigning champion Gary Hirsch from Switzerland at the wheel of the #43 BMW Judd-powered Morgan with Dunlop tyres, this new driving line-up marks another significant step forward in NewBlood by Morand Racing’s quest for title and victory, after proving competitive in the first two ELMS rounds at Silverstone (Great Britain) and Imola (Italy). The ELMS is coming to the 4-kilometer Red Bull Ring circuit for the second year in a row. This will also be a special source of motivation for Christian Klien who will be competing in an endurance event on home turf for the first time.
Christian Klien: “I drove my former Formula One Red Bull just before the start of the Austrian Grand Prix three weeks ago and it is a great race track with many slow-speed corners. I am looking forward to battling at home for the win next Sunday after we had a long race lead last May at Imola, where victory escaped us two laps before finish.”
Benoit Morand (team owner): “I think that Christian is also motivated to demonstrate that the team can win at last, since we came very close in the two previous rounds. Considering our experience from 2013 and the evolutions in 2014, we should be fine at the Red Bull Ring, but everything can happen in race. What we wanted with Pierre is not only quickness but the ability to battle for the win so we can remain in contention for the 2014 title. This new line-up with him, Christian and Gary probably is the best we could find.”
Pierre Ragues: “I already knew about the team since I was battling against them last year, and I could see them becoming a potential winner through the whole 2013 ELMS season. The Morgan chassis has proved reliable for quite a time. In endurance racing you must finish the race without any glitch, and this is why the Morgan-Judd-Dunlop package is one of the best in endurance racing today.”