Pierre Ragues will get his 2010 Le Mans Series championship preparations underway this weekend as official pre-season testing takes place at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France. 

The 26-year-old French driver will take part in his second full season in the LMP1 class at the wheel of an Aston Martin after his Signature team secured the lucrative status as Official LMP1 Partner of Aston Martin Racing for the 2010 season. As such, Pierre will contest this season’s championship as an Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Driver, alongside his team-mate Franck Mailleux, in the 008 car.

Eight teams are set to test their machines in earnest for the first time this weekend as Paul Ricard hosts a two-day test session. It will be the only occasion for all teams to test alongside each other in preparation for the season-opening race, the 8h du Castellet, which also takes place on the 5.791km configuration of the Paul Ricard track in April. 

The Signature team enjoyed a very commendable debut season in the LMP1 championship in 2009 but will be hoping to make an important step this season with the valuable backing and support of Aston Martin, who won last year’s LMP1 title.

Signature conducted a shakedown of the Lola Aston Martin LMP1 at the Lurcy-Levis track on Wednesday in preparation for this weekend’s test. 

Ahead of this weekend’s test, Pierre said: “Finally, we are able to get on track for the first official track activity of the 2010 season! Last season seems such a long time ago and, following our shakedown of our new car on Wednesday, I cannot wait to get back to driving at Paul Ricard this weekend.”

“It is going to be a very exciting season for Signature with the Aston Martin partnership and I am really proud to become an Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Driver for my second season in the LMP1 class. We know that this association brings added pressure to the whole Signature team, but I think we showed our potential in last year’s championship, so I am sure we are up to the job”.

“This test is important for everybody because it the only official pre-season test and Paul Ricard will also host the first race of the year in April, so we have to make the most of this valuable opportunity and get our season off to the best possible start. I am pleased to be a part of the Signature team for a second season and with the backing of Aston Martin and my personal sponsor Group Auto Union, I am confident we could be the surprise package of 2010.”

Source : Pierre Ragues