The Signatech-Nissan team will start Saturday’s 24 Hours of Le Mans from LMP2 pole position after a positive day of qualifying practice around the demanding La Sarthe circuit on Thursday which sees them 14th overall in a competitive field.

Franck Mailleux, who is participating in his third consecutive Le Mans event this year, will be hoping to translate today’s pole position into an equally positive result by Sunday afternoon, drawing on the combined experience of his own Le Mans racing and that of his team.

After a competitive showing in the opening free practice and first qualifying session on Wednesday, Franck and his team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Soheil Ayari continued with important race set-up work, including tyre wear evaluation with Dunlop, as well as aerodynamic and fuel consumption work.

The entire Signatech-Nissan team is confident of a competitive showing around Le Mans, having dominated the LMP2 class all day, setting the benchmark time from the very first laps of Thursday’s opening session. Franck was on competitive form all day and is optimistic for tomorrow’s race after team-mate Soheil Ayari set the LMP2 pace after being nominated for qualifying runs today. The team’s early evening lap of 3m41.458s remained the LMP2 time to beat all evening.

Franck Mailleux said: “I am really pleased with what we have been able to achieve today. Soheil was on qualifying duty and he produced a great time in the first qualifying session which enables us to start from LMP2 pole on Saturday. I had a great time behind the wheel of the Signatech-Nissan Oreca O3 today; the car felt quick and consistent in race trim and we were able to make good progress on set-up, both in terms of aero and Dunlop tyres. I am looking forward to the race with a quick and comfortable car that I hope we will be able to use to fight for the LMP2 podium by Sunday afternoon. My sponsors Sojaun are also here supporting me and I know they are also looking forward to a competitive and reliable 24 hour race.”

Source : Franck Mailleux