[30-09-2019]
PIERRE RAGUES HEADS TO JAPAN FOR 6H FUJI
.jpg&maxsize2=250) Pierre Ragues and Signatech Alpine Elf are aiming to continue their strong start to the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Championship as the season moves onto round two, the 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan.
Pierre, alongside team-mates Thomas Laurent and Andre Negrão, claimed a stunning second place in the competitive LMP2 class at the season-opening 4 Hours of Silverstone earlier this month, getting the new season off to a flyer.
The trio now aims to add another podium to the unbroken run of nine that Signatech Alpine Elf has secured in WEC. For Pierre, Silverstone marked his best-ever LMP2 finish in the series, so the Caen-born racer is determined for more at Fuji.
The 4.563km Fuji Speedway circuit is familiar territory for Pierre, having competed there in LMP2 on several occasions and in GTE-Am during 2016. He will, however, have to get acquainted with the #36 Alpine A470 and Michelin tyres around the iconic Japanese circuit during the usual three free practice sessions.
A total of 30 cars are entered into the 6 Hours of Fuji across all four classes with eight battling out for glory in the LMP2 category. At this time of year, weather conditions can be unpredictable and inclement, so race strategy - like at Silverstone - could prove a decisive factor.
Pierre said: “We had a great start to our 2019/20 season at the 4 Hours of Silverstone, and we are ready to continue in that way. I absolutely love racing in Japan, and I enjoy competing at Fuji Speedway. It’s a track that has a unique character and one that I hope will suit our car. Signatech Alpine Elf has a competitive track record and I have fond memories from my previous races there. We are still in the very early phase of the season but it’s important for us to get to a good feeling for the Alpine A470 so we can mount a consistent challenge in the championship. Silverstone was tricky but we worked really well as a team to extract the full potential from our car – and ourselves. We head to Japan in high spirits and determined to compete at the front of LMP2.”
6 Hours of Fuji WEC Schedule
4 October
11:00-12:30 Free Practice 1
15:30-17:00 Free Practice 2
5 October
09:20-10:20 Free Practice 3
13:40-14:00 LMP1 and LMP2 Qualifying
6 October
11:00-17:00 6 Hours of Fuji
FIA World Endurance Championship – Drivers’ Standings
1. J-M Lopez / K. Kobayashi / M. Conway / 26 points
2. B. Hartley / K. Nakajima / S. Buemi / 18 points
3. B. Hanley / C. Robertson / E. Orudzhev / 15 points
4. A. Borga / N. Lapierre / 12 points
5. A. Negrao / P. Ragues / T. Laurent / 10 points
Trophy for LMP2 Teams
1. Cool Racing / 25 points
2. Signatech Alpine Elf / 18 points
3. Racing Team Nederland / 16 points
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