[11-06-2013]
STRONG TEST PERFORMANCE FOR SIGNATECH-ALPINE GIVES PIERRE RAGUES A BOOST
 Pierre Ragues was one of the stars of the recent Official Le Mans Test day as he was among the LMP2 pace setters throughout the day. The French racer put his knowledge of the 13.6km La Sarthe track to excellent use in the morning’s wet conditions to lead the LMP2 standings at the lunchtime interval.
Pierre continued to run competitively into the afternoon session as the track dried up and his team-mates Nelson Panciatici and Tristan Gommendy were able to continue to set competitive times on a fully dry track, ending the day in second place in LMP2 and in 11th place overall.
The results will be a real boost to the Signatech-Alpine team as the look to extend the podium-scoring performances of the Michelin-shod A450 race car from European Le Mans Series into the tough 24 Hours of Le Mans event.
Quick Q+A with Pierre Ragues
Pierre, what can you read into the results from the official test day?
“It is important to keep things in perspective and not to get carried away based on the results from one test, however we had a good day and felt quick and comfortable with the Signatech-Alpine A450. It was a tricky day with wet to dry conditions from morning to afternoon and three red flag periods but we worked well around this and gathered some very important and useful data.”
What was your work focus during the test?
“We only have one day of testing on the full track configuration so we have to make best use of the limited time we have before the event gets underway properly. We started by assessing the baseline performance of the car in the wet conditions and working with Michelin on wet tyre performance. I felt at ease in the car and it was great to be back at Le Mans with all the other competitors. In the afternoon, when the track was dry, Nelson and Tristan continued to look at the car set-up and slick tyre performance with more good results. It was a good day for us overall.”
How easy is it to specify realistic objectives?
“It is never easy to know where we are going to be aiming until the race gets underway. I am confident in the performance of the car but the LMP2 field is really tight so it will be a long, tough battle, I am sure. We always aim high with our objectives, especially as we are entrusted with returning the Alpine brand to Le Mans for the first time in 35 years, but there are a lot of variables. A podium has to be the target and I think we are capable of that but this is Le Mans where anything can happen. It’s unique and unpredictable, and that’s why it is such a beloved event.”
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