Pierre Ragues and the G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan team have claimed a fantastic LMP2 podium result at this afternoon’s 6 Hours of Silverstone charging from 13^th in class on the grid. 

The result is the team’s debut podium result of 2012 and continues the fine form that the #26 crew showed at the previous race of the season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Pierre started the race from 13^th on the grid after a tough qualifying session on Saturday afternoon but a combination of excellent team strategy, determined driving by the driver line-up of Pierre, Roman Rusinov and Nelson Panciatici, and the competitive, reliable performance of the Nissan-powered Oreca 03 helped the team to make their way through the field in outstanding fashion.

Pierre enjoyed trouble-free opening stints as he made up an impressive six places before handing over control of the #26 car to Roman Rusinov. A safety car period at two hours into the race did not halt the team’s progress as Rusinov made his way up to fifth place. Panciatici took control for the final third of the race and continued the momentum taking the team into third place in the ultra-competitive LMP2 class and tenth overall by the chequered flag.

The G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan team was rightly overjoyed by the result which has cemented the performance and pace of the team and the car package as the World Endurance Championship moves into its second half with races in Brazil, Bahrain, Japan and China.

Pierre Ragues said: “This is an incredible result for the G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan team after a hard fought weekend and especially coming from our 13^th place position on the LMP2 grid. I had a great start and was able to make up six places in my opening stint which really put us in a strong position to fight with the lead contenders in LMP2. Roman and Nelson put in excellent performances as well to continue the progress and to get us into the podium position. It was a real team effort today and I’d like to say thanks to the Signatech-Nissan team for a perfect race strategy, clean pit stops and a very professional approach to this race. I am grateful also to Group Auto Union for their support, as always, and this result is also for them. The #26 G-Drive by Signatech-Nissan Oreca 03 is a quick and reliable car, so I am pleased that we have been able to show this today in what is a very competitive LMP2 field. I am proud of our achievements and it was a pleasure to stand on the Silverstone podium today.”