Zoom Hard work paying off at Team Oreca-Matmut

Team ORECA-Matmut arrived at Spa with an ambition: to score a result as a confirmation of the nice performances shown since the start of the season with the new Courage-Oreca. That goal has been reached, and in superb fashion!

Only four and a half months after its first wind-tunnel test, the LC70 "made in Signes" has obtained an excellent third place at the finish of the 1000km of Spa. With a car that has been both fast and consistent, Olivier Panis, Nicolas Lapierre and the whole team have completed a faultless race to finish in-between the 'diesel' cars, behind the N°7 Peugeot and the N°2 Audi... but ahead of all the others, including the N°1 Audi R10.

Having started from the pitlane, Nicolas Lapierre confirmed in the first laps the potential displayed by the Courage-Oreca during the free practice sessions. From the 37th place, he reaches 18th position after only fifteen minutes of racing, and continued his fantastic comeback through the field up to the 5th place that he gained at the end of the first hour!

Lapierre continued to put on fast laps before handing over to Olivier Panis. Soon after starting his own double stint, Panis moved up to third place thanks to the incidents affecting the N°8 Peugeot and the n°1 Audi. Always first of the 'petrol' prototypes, he increased his lead on his rivals during the second part of his stint.

The pair at the wheel of the N°6 LC70 kept on driving at the same pace during the second half of the race. Under the sun of the Belgian Ardennes, the Courage-Oreca displayed all its qualities and defended its position with bravery.

Despite a last Safety Car period that reduced the gaps, the chequered flag celebrated the third place of Team ORECA-Matmut on the podium. A welcome reward for the hard work done since several months, as well as a huge boost one month before the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

© CAPSIS International