Podium and points are Signatech's Sao Paulo aim
The fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone was a race of mixed fortunes for the Signatech-Nissan team (see full story here).
The Philippe Sinault-run team had the joy of seeing the Franco-Russian trio of Nelson Panciatici-Pierre Ragues-Roman Rusinov in the No.26 Oreca 03-Nissan claim a well-deserved LMP2 podium place, adding to its excellent fourth place in the category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Conversely, there was disappointment for the team’s No.23 car which ended a very positive showing at Silverstone in the barriers some 90 minutes before the chequered flag.
As Team Manager, Philippe Sinault, notes: “Our Silverstone podium was a real reward for both the team and the drivers. We needed this breath of fresh air to finish the season and to aim for the overall podium. We are raring to go and ready for the final part of the Championship. Interlagos is a difficult track, and extremely physical for drivers who do not know it. We will have to work hard in practice, and think hard about our race strategy, but I am confident."
And so to Sao Paulo, taking the lessons learnt and experiences gained forward to what the team hopes will be more points and podium places. Despite the Interlagos track being known as difficult and technical, the No.23 crew of Franck Mailleux-Jordan Tresson-Olivier Lombard is hoping that the bad luck which has dogged their season to date will lift and they can match their team mates and claim a podium finish.
Philippe Sinault, Team Manager: “Silverstone proved to be quite difficult for the No. 23. I would like this ‘series’ of results to come to an end. We are still in a position to fight for the top three in the LMP2 category, and I intend on changing matters in Brazil in order to make up our delay. We have a good technical package, which we proved once again at Silverstone with Franck’s qualifying time, and especially with his first race stint.”
Jordan Tresson, No.23 Signatech-Nissan: “Silverstone was a round to forget, just like the start of this season. I know the Interlagos circuit virtually… it is renowned to be technical and very physical. It will be good to get there and to get driving. In the meantime, I will practice on the team’s simulator in order to memorise the track perfectly.”
Pierre Ragues, No.26 Signatech-Nissan: “I am much more serene before this fifth race than I was at the start of the season, as our podium finally proved we were competitive. We will have to work hard from the start as we don’t know the circuit.”
Fiona Miller (quotes from Signatech-Nissan team press release)
PHOTO: SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT (SILVERSTONE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK), 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE, SUNDAY, 26TH AUGUST 2012. The No.26 Signatech-Nissan Oreca claimed third place in the LMP2 class.