French racer Pierre Ragues has today announced he will take part in the full 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the newly formed TEAM SARD-MORAND. 

 

Ragues, who last competed in WEC in 2012 with a best result of third place at Silverstone, has built up an impressive career in endurance racing. 2015 will mark his return to WEC after claiming the European Le Mans Series title in 2013 and a further victory in the series last season. 

 

By contesting this year’s FIA WEC, Ragues, who has recently turned 31 years of age, will also participate in the highlight of the endurance racing season – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will mark the ninth occasion that Ragues takes part in the prestigious event, reinforcing his position as one of the most experienced Le Mans racers in the field.

 

Ragues will continue to be supported by his personal backers Group Auto as well as from Sparco, who are also partners of TEAM SARD-MORAND. Ragues will compete in LMP2 with the team, who will field a single Dunlop-shod Morgan entry, led by Ragues alongside Oliver Webb. 

 

The Frenchman’s first outing with the Swiss-Japanese team will be at the so-called Prologue test at the end of March, which will take place at Paul Ricard, scene of Ragues’ ELMS with Morand in 2014.

Pierre Ragues commented: “I am thrilled to remain with Morand Racing for 2015, as they join forces with Team SARD for the ultra-competitive WEC series. I have had a lot of success in endurance racing in recent years, most notably in ELMS where I was champion in 2013 and together with Morand in 2014 as race winner at Paul Ricard. I feel very pleased to be able to showcase my talents in WEC with an LMP2 racer and look forward to a full season of competition. I have competed in WEC before, in 2012, so I have followed the series closely and been impressed with its development. I am honoured to have the chance play a part in it this season. Above all, it’s fantastic to know that I will be taking part once again in the amazing Le Mans 24 Hours. Incredibly, it will be my ninth time at Le Mans this year and it’s always a personal highlight. I am also grateful to have the continued support of my partners Group Auto and Sparco. 2015 promises to be a great year and there will be more to come very soon!”

 

Benoit Morand (Team Principal): “I am delighted that Pierre will remain with our young team as we enter an exciting new phase in our racing activities as TEAM SARD-MORAND. He has tremendous professionalism, dedication and experience at the sharp end of endurance racing, so he will be a real asset to our team once again. We share many happy memories together, including a victory last year at Paul Ricard – we hope to share similar moments in 2015.”