Signatech-Nissan LMP2 driver Franck Mailleux made a sublime start to the Le Mans 24 Hours race this afternoon, making up an impressive five places on the opening lap of the race. 

Completing a triple stint of some 33 laps, Franck handed over to team-mate Olivier Lombard two hours into the race with the team already making up places to be on the edge of the top 20 overall.

The weather conditions, having been very wet in the morning, left for a green track at the start of the race with Franck reporting better conditions towards the end of his triple stint with more rubber down on the track.

Franck said: “I had a fantastic start and was able to make up five positions from our grid spot, and to be in the top 20 overall. The car balance was not ideal in the first stints and I wasn’t as comfortable as I had been in practice. This is possibly as a result of the slightly greener track following this morning’s wet conditions, but there were definitely improvements towards the end of my third stint, just as I handed over to Olivier, as more rubber is going down on the track. We are fighting to make up more places, and I am expecting to be back in the car later this evening.”