[04-03-2014]
REIGNING ELMS CHAMPION PIERRE RAGUES STILL SEEKING 2014 SEAT
 Reigning European Le Mans Series champion Pierre Ragues is still seeking a 2014 race seat in order to defend his title after a recent set-back for the Signatech-Alpine team.
Ragues was set to spearhead a second entry for the Signatech-Alpine squad this season and to continue in his position as an ambassador for the company but the absence of a second entry for Le Mans 24 Hours has left the Frenchman’s season in an uncertain position.
Pierre is still signed as an Alpine driver but both he and the team are now considering options to make the defending ELMS champion available to another squad to ensure that his vast experience and talent in endurance racing is fully utilised this season.
Pierre, what is the situation with you for the season ahead?
“We had always planned for this season to be one of title defence and renewed competition with the Le Mans 24 Hours as the priority. As reigning ELMS champion, it was planned for me to embark on a campaign in one of the two Signatech-Alpine cars but unfortunately the Le Mans entry only listed one car. I remain a contracted Alpine driver but it is clear that we need to find another solution for me to race this season. I have to admit, though, that this information, which I only received on the 13 February when the entry list was confirmed, came as a complete shock.”
Do you have the support of Signatech-Alpine?
“Yes, Signatech-Alpine continues to be very supportive of me and try to fix this unforeseen situation. It is just unfortunate that there is only one car confirmed for Le Mans. I have a huge amount of experience in endurance racing, with seven previous Le Mans participations and with a championship-winning season in 2013, it would be sensible to see if there are any mutual partnerships or agreements that I can make through Signatech-Alpine that will allow me to race this season. We are actively seeking a solution that will benefit us and I hope we find a positive outcome quickly.”
Philippe Sinault of Signatech-Alpine added: “This is a very unfortunate situation for us because we had planned our season with two cars and Pierre as the head of one of them. Regrettably, we have only one entry for Le Mans, so we have to find a solution to help Pierre to get a race seat for 2014. I consider him to be a big part of the Signatech-Alpine programme so it’s an awful feeling. He is contracted to us but he is free to be loaned elsewhere and we are open to discussions with other teams to see if we can place Pierre as part of a mutually beneficial agreement. This is what we are currently contemplating and we hope to find a solution soon. Pierre is a fantastic, championship-winning driver and it would be ridiculous if he is not part of an endurance championship this year, and especially in the Le Mans 24 Hours – the pinnacle of the season.”
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