[13-05-2013]
FRANCK MAILLEUX RETURNS TO IMOLA WITH PODIUM IN HIS SIGHTS
 French endurance racer Franck Mailleux will be returning to track action at Imola this weekend for the second round of this season’s European Le Mans Series.
The race will act as the prelude to the Le Mans 24 Hours and will bring together an increased grid of 28 cars across all four categories with Franck once again joining the LMP2 class with the Morand Racing squad.
Franck will arrive at Imola boosted by a strong showing at the opening race of the year at Silverstone last month in which he led the race for the opening hour. The Morand Racing Morgan Judd LMP2 car demonstrated its pace against tough competition, something that Franck and the team will hope continues at Imola.
Franck last raced at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari back in 2011 when he was competing in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup so he will be able to hit the ground running in opening free practice on Friday morning. The circuit underwent significant modernisation in the late 2000s with its nine right-hand and 13 left-hand turns over an anti-clockwise 4.909km lap offering a technical challenge for drivers and teams alike.
Quick Q+A with Franck Mailleux
What are your thoughts looking towards the second round of the season at Imola?
“It is good to be going to Imola, a circuit that I enjoy but one at which I haven’t raced for a few years. The opening race of the season at Silverstone was one of mixed feelings but ultimately there were a lot of positives. It was our first race together with Morand Racing and we showed our capabilities to lead the race, even if we were unfortunate to retire in the difficult weather conditions. We go to Imola with the knowledge that we work well as a team and that the Morand Racing Morgan Judd LMP2 car and Dunlop tyres is a competitive package. We certainly expect the weather to be better at Imola with hotter conditions currently forecast.”
What are the particular nuances of the Imola track?
“Imola is a challenging track and a technical one, both in terms of its anti-clockwise layout and the combination of corner types. When I drove at Imola previously, back in 2011, I finished on the podium and that will be my target again this weekend. It’s an enjoyable track and satisfying to get right so we will be looking to make the most of our time in practice to find a good set-up with the car and tyres and hope for better weather than we had at Silverstone!”
Morand Racing Partners: Look Prestige Immobilier, Warson Motors, Motorex Oil, Dunlop, Judd, Onroak Morgan
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