A third ’Top 5’ for Team ORECA-Matmut

At the conclusion of the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours, Team ORECA-Matmut realised a third top 5 in three years. 5th and 4th in the last two editions with the ORECA 01, Hugues de Chaunac‟s team finishes again in 5th at the end of a particularly interesting 79th edition of the race. At the controls of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, Nicolas Lapierre, Loïc Duval and Olivier Panis gave it their all during the twice around the clock race to follow the pace set by the 2011 LMP1s. Although the march to the front for the “Lion,” of which reliability was never an issue, was hindered by two incidents, the three men finish behind an Audi R18 and three Peugeot 908s – these four cars doing battle until the very end. Preceded by four cars under new rules – entered directly by two major manufacturers – Team ORECA-Matmut therefore finishes for the third consecutive year first as a “privateer” at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Pursuing a flawless performance, Team ORECA-Matmut got a good start, positioning themselves behind the Audis and Peugeots. A times running in fourth place during the first quarter of the event and often in fifth, the team once again showed that they are up to the challenge of the race in technical and strategic management and during interventions. The drivers also showed themselves more than convincing. After these intense 24 Hours, the members of the Team ORECA-Matmut shouldn‟t be ashamed of their performance.

Race Action

At the drop of the tricolor flag by Jean Todt on Saturday at 3 pm, Nicolas Lapierre starts from the seventh place. 8th after the first corner, he regains the position the second time around. After the first neutralization period (#3 Audi accident), the Team ORECA-Matmut Peugeot 908 HDi FAP stays at the heels of the three Peugeot 908s and two Audi R18s. The “Lion” temporarily reaches the top 5 during Nicolas‟ quadruple stint. Loïc Duval and Olivier Panis take over for me and the driving squad consolidates its sixth place during the first third of the event.

The safety car makes another appearance in the 8th hour, for 2 hours 20 minutes after the #1 Audi accident. The #10 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP reaches and holds on to fifth place until the 11th hour. While at the wheel, Loïc is surprised by gravel on the track and goes straight on at the Playstation chicane. The car pits and the team makes repairs for 14 minutes (front hood, front suspension…) Rejoining in 8th place, Team ORECA-Matmut begins the long climb back.

During other frequent safety car periods, Nicolas, Loïc and Olivier push during the Sarthe night. Following a quick pace (Nicolas laps in under 3:30), they gain position after position as the hours count down to finally return to the top 5 in the morning. Fifth place looks hopeful with four hours to go until rain comes to make the track slick. Damaged near Indianapolis corner, the car pits to change bodywork at noon. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP makes its return after seven minutes. Running in sixth, the car once again reaches fifth position at the end of the 22nd hour. Despite a short unscheduled stop, the Lapierre/Duval/Panis trio keep their place and finish fifth when the checkered flag falls..

Hugues de Chaunac, Président of Groupe ORECA : « Aside from the result, we witnessed a fabulous race and a grand finale. I think it’s an extraordinary chance to be here and to be a part of this. Le Mans showed its entire dimension. This only sharpens my disappointment. On the other hand, there’s not much we could have expected for today. It wasn’t our day: we encountered a few problems…We learned from our race and the race of others. What I take away from this is the good work from the team. We didn’t get the result we did at Sebring, but Team ORECA-Matmut once again performed well in pitstops and at the strategy level. Even during repairs. »

Nicolas Lapierre : « I’m disappointed, not so much because of the result but because of how the race went. We thought we could reach the podium. It didn’t depend so much on us, we did our best – that’s to say being behind the official Audis and Peugeots. Their reliability and performance was impressive. If you look at it, there’s nothing to regret: we couldn’t be any higher than this fifth place. »