[04-12-2013]
FRANCK MAILLEUX HEADS INTO FESTIVE PERIOD WITH AN EYE ON 2014
 Racing star Franck Mailleux is already looking towards the 2014 season as he reflects on a successful 2013 campaign. The Frenchman started the season competing in the European Le Mans Series with Morand Racing and set the championship alight in the opening round at Silverstone, as he took charge of the race.
Despite being forced to retire from the 3 Hours of Silverstone from the lead, Franck used his driving expertise in the subsequent races with Morand as he scored podiums at Imola and in Austria, as well as fifth in class at the Le Mans 24 Hours. He was unable to see out the season with the team but he is hoping to secure a drive in GT or ideally the World Endurance Championship for 2014 that will see him continue his presence in sports car racing.
Quick Q+A with Franck Mailleux
Franck, how do you review the 2013 season from your perspective?
“There have been quite a good number of highlights for me this season despite the year not ending in the way that I hoped. From the very start of the first test with Morand, I knew that I would be competitive in the ELMS and so it proved at Silverstone when we were fast straight out of the garage. The conditions in the race were tricky but it was a real shame when we were forced to retire from the lead after the first hour. The pace was there and so it was great when we scored podiums in subsequent races.”
Do those podium results in Imola and Austria make you a strong contender for a 2014 seat somewhere?
“I certainly hope that my performances in 2013 will make someone sign me for next year. I know that I am strong enough to race at the very front with the best drivers in the world, so I am looking at a number of options for 2014, including GT racing and of course in Le Mans. I have many contacts and we are having some talks but nothing is fixed yet. I know I can be a real asset to any team in any championship.”
What have you been doing recently?
“I have been sure to keep training, something that I enjoy doing even away from racing. I took part in a 10km run near to Rennes at the end of November and I finished well with a time comfortably under 40 minutes. Running is a very different type of endurance race but one that I find quite exhilarating. I can now head into the festive period to have some relaxing time with family and friends but with my sights set firmly on finding a competitive seat in 2014.”
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