It has been a disjointed night for most drivers and teams at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as an extended seventh safety car period and wet weather conditions have put concentration levels at a premium.

 

Franck Mailleux had a trouble-free night-time run in the Morgan Judd LMP2 car as he took over from team-mate Olivier Lombard under the safety car conditions at around the halfway mark of the race. 

 

With the safety car period being extended due to wet conditions at shortly before 4am, Franck’s pace was controlled. The change of weather conditions meant that as the rain started, Franck pitted under the safety car to change onto intermediate tyres before coming back onto slicks as the track dried up once more. 

 

The team was able to maintain its position in 15th and seventh in category as Franck handed over to Natacha Gachnang as the race entered into the early daylight hours of Sunday morning. 

 

Franck said: “We have had a generally trouble-free night, although the safety car periods have dictated the pace of the race for much of the overnight period. There have been a high number of safety cars which have made the race quite fragmented but in the circumstances, it has been sensible. I had a good run overnight taking from Olivier at 3am and handing over the reins to Natacha as the daylight was resuming. We have been able to keep our place in the top 15 and seventh in LMP2 with one-third of the race still left to run. Lots more can happen as the race comes to its conclusion so we keep pushing as a team in the hope of making up some places.”