G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan driver Pierre Ragues is celebrating a fine performance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as he helped to guide his team to fourth place in LMP2, and a fantastic tenth overall, in just their second event of the season together.  

Pierre completed the celebrated event agonisingly close to what would have been a sensational podium but having shown podium pace and reliability throughout the 24 hours, there are still plenty of positives for the Frenchman to take away from this 80^th running of the famed endurance race.

From third place on the LMP2 grid, it was a tough start for the team in green conditions after morning rain had left the track difficult to get to grips with. Nelson Panciatici, who had qualified the car, duly assumed starting duties and handed over to Pierre after the first ninety minutes of the race. A competitive triple stint saw Pierre back up to sixth in LMP2 heading into the evening.

Pierre resumed driving duties during the night, slightly later than planned as a result of the long safety car period, and continued the team’s forward progress with another trouble-free quadruple stint. The team was hopeful of chasing down a podium place after a strong run during the night and into the morning. Unfortunately, a spin for Roman Rusinov late in the morning, as a result of a right rear puncture, put an end to those hopes as he lost time in the pits. The G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan team worked efficiently and with excellent pace to minimise disruption to the team’s race.

Pierre took to the cockpit of the Nissan powered Oreca 03 with just under two hours of the race remaining and he pushed hard in the closing stages of the race to secure the team’s well-deserved fourth place in what has been an extremely competitive LMP2 field. The pace and reliability of the Signatech-Nissan Oreca 03 was impressive, as was Pierre’s professional and expert approach to the 24 hour race. Pierre’s personal partners Group Auto also share in this highly commendable result for the team.

Pierre Ragues commented:  “On the one hand, it is naturally disappointing that we have missed out on the LMP2 podium by such a small fraction, but on the other hand I think we can be proud and satisfied with our performance, our pace, our reliability and our team-work at this Le Mans race. To finish in the top ten overall is a great achievement. From my point of view, the race has run smoothly and I am pleased with the competitiveness of my stints. We have had some difficulties to deal with, which it typical for Le Mans, but we have worked hard as a team to overcome them, so to finish the race fourth in class is great. LMP2 has been really competitive this year so we have to appreciate the positives of what we have achieved this week. The Oreca 03 chassis and Nissan engine were a potent combination, the Dunlop tyres performed well and the G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan team, including my team-mates Roman and Nelson, did a fantastic job. My thanks to them for their support this week, and to my personal partners Group Auto as well. We have proven to be a strong partnership in just our second race together and we can look ahead to the rest of the season with genuine confidence. It has been an enjoyable Le Mans and one of my best results here.”