After a start of the week dedicated to discovering Sebring, the Team ORECA-Matmut gained momentum during the last two days. Firstly, the team gathered a maximum of data before an important debriefing on Wednesday. The work done by the engineers and mechanics has been fruitful: since the start of the official practice sessions, the No. 10 Peugeot HDi FAP has consistently run in the top five. Nicolas Lapierre, Loïc Duval and Olivier Panis focused on regular progress rewarded by the fastest time in the final session.
The Team ORECA-Matmut confirmed its good disposition on the Floridian track by signing the fifth quickest time in qualifying, behind the two official Peugeot 908s and the two Audi R15 “plus” who share the first two rows. A solid way to begin the 12 Hours of Sebring. The team had set itself a first goal: qualify in the top 5 in order to be close to the competition. Now, the team must face the real challenge: once around the clock on a legendary and brutal circuit.
“Having the fastest time in practice gave us a good boost. That said, when you look at the week as a whole, we are on par with what we expected,” said Loïc Duval, who qualified the car. “We reached our first goal. There was little traffic: we managed it well and could have gained a few tenths, but it wouldn’t have changed much. Peugeot has a new car and Audi have a huge amount of experience here. Our car is well balanced and the handling has evolved a lot since Tuesday. We’ve reacted well and we’re in the game.”
For David Floury, Technical Director, this fifth qualifying position is also a satisfaction. “We are where we need to be. Qualifying is not as important at such a race: 12 Hours is a long time! Especially at Sebring, such a demanding track. We are in a good position, we’re prepared and our car is good in all conditions. We can only compare ourselves to Audi, know that they have a massive amount of experience at Sebring. Everyone worked well to analyze what was done on Monday and Tuesday. We tried to keep the good and get rid of what wasn’t working. The compromise is good and that’s what counts today.”
The Team ORECA-Matmut confirmed its good disposition on the Floridian track by signing the fifth quickest time in qualifying, behind the two official Peugeot 908s and the two Audi R15 “plus” who share the first two rows. A solid way to begin the 12 Hours of Sebring. The team had set itself a first goal: qualify in the top 5 in order to be close to the competition. Now, the team must face the real challenge: once around the clock on a legendary and brutal circuit.
“Having the fastest time in practice gave us a good boost. That said, when you look at the week as a whole, we are on par with what we expected,” said Loïc Duval, who qualified the car. “We reached our first goal. There was little traffic: we managed it well and could have gained a few tenths, but it wouldn’t have changed much. Peugeot has a new car and Audi have a huge amount of experience here. Our car is well balanced and the handling has evolved a lot since Tuesday. We’ve reacted well and we’re in the game.”
For David Floury, Technical Director, this fifth qualifying position is also a satisfaction. “We are where we need to be. Qualifying is not as important at such a race: 12 Hours is a long time! Especially at Sebring, such a demanding track. We are in a good position, we’re prepared and our car is good in all conditions. We can only compare ourselves to Audi, know that they have a massive amount of experience at Sebring. Everyone worked well to analyze what was done on Monday and Tuesday. We tried to keep the good and get rid of what wasn’t working. The compromise is good and that’s what counts today.”
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