Franck Mailleux demonstrated the full potential of the Signatech-Nissan Oreca 03 around Spa-Francorchamps today as his double stint helped the team recover to fifth place in LMP2 following mechanical issues earlier in the 1000km race.

Franck consistently set quick lap times during his time in the cockpit with an impressive fastest lap of 2m12.588s – the quickest LMP2 lap of the entire race – to take the team to fifth in class and 15th overall. Importantly, the team was the fastest LMP2 in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC). Unfortunately, separate issues encountered during the race lost the team over five laps that prevented them from fighting for LMP2 victory today.

Franck had already qualified the Signatech-Nissan third in LMP2 during Saturday’s qualifying session with a late red flag preventing him from improving his time. Like in Sebring, the team demonstrated impressive competitiveness but problems negated progress and left them without the result they had hoped for.

After Franck’s star turn in qualifying, Soheil Ayari was given starting duties and had a fantastic getaway to take the lead of LMP2 on the opening lap. His triple stint enabled the Signatech-Nissan team to build up a safe lead in LMP2 but shortly after Lucas Ordonez took over, a problem forced him back into the pit. It transpired that Ayari had suffered front left damage after a small coming together with a GT car, forcing the team to change the front end left sidepod. The team’s excellent work allowed Ordonez to return to the track,losing four laps.

Just half an hour later, the team used a safety car period to return to the pits to address a steering issue. The team capitalised on the safety car, replacing the car’s steering rack and losing just over a lap in the pits. Ordonez brought his very consistent stints to a conclusion and handed over duties to Franck, who embarked on a trouble-free double stint to the end of the race.

The result means that Signatech-Nissan has finished its second consecutive race weekend as the top LMP2 team in ILMC, extending its lead in the ILMC classification with the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans next up on the schedule.

Franck Mailleux said: “I really enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the Signatech-Nissan Oreca 03 today. Spa is always a great track to drive but the car was really competitive today. We had the pace to fight for the outright LMP2 win today but unfortunately we experienced two separate mechanical issues that lost us 5 laps. After qualifying yesterday, which I felt we completed quite satisfactorily, it was a fantastic start by Soheil to get us into the class lead. It was a shame that Lucas’s stints were interrupted by the problems, but we battled hard to make up the lost time. I was able to set some very quick lap times, not far off the pace of some of the LMP1 cars in the closing stages of the race. To finish as the first ILMC car for the second event in a row is a great achievement, even if I think we had a package capable of even more today.

Thanks to my team-mates and the whole Signatech-Nissan crew for the efforts today and solving the problems so quickly and professionally. The Nissan engine and Dunlop tyres were very competitive and we showed our potential once again, which gives us great encouragement heading into Le Mans 24 Hours. Thanks also to my partners Sojasun with whom I will be working closely on my dietary preparation for Le Mans.”

For more information about Franck Mailleux, please visit www.franckmailleux.com or www.quadrasports.com