French racer Franck Mailleux will remain with the Morand Racing team for the duration of the 2013 European Le Mans Series following his impressive performances in the Morand Racing Morgan Judd LMP2 car in pre-season testing. 

Franck was already signed up to take part in this weekend’s 3 Hours of Silverstone with the team on the back of his test at Paul Ricard but the team has today confirmed that Franck will remain for the full 2013 campaign, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Morand Racing has been invited to compete at Le Mans with a confirmed entry on the latest entry list with Franck now spearheading the team’s assault on the prestigious race in the LMP2 class, in which he has proven success.

Driving alongside Natacha Gachnang, Franck has already undertaken his first laps of the season in the Dunlop-shod LMP2 car with seven laps completed of the 5.791km track in this morning’s damp practice session and a further 18 laps in this afternoon’s wet-dry session.

Franck will be hoping to secure a podium finish in Saturday afternoon’s three-hour race to kick-start what promises to be a positive partnership between him and Morand Racing this season.

Franck said: “I am overjoyed that Morand Racing has signed me for the complete 2013 season and thankful to them for showing faith in my abilities. After an uncertain winter period, it was great to be given the opportunity to test for the team at Paul Ricard in March and to be driving at Silverstone this weekend, but it is even better to have a complete season programme ahead of us. It was great news for the team to be included on the Le Mans entry list, and I am excited at the prospect of my fifth Le Mans 24 Hours. First, though, our focus is on tomorrow’s Silverstone race. It has been a wet start to our preparations today but I am sure we will be competitive with the Morand Racing Morgan Judd LMP2 car and we look forward with great anticipation to this first race of the season.”