FRANCOIS FILLON VISITS THE ELMS

Their first stop was at Sébastien Loeb team's pit where Mr. Fillon had a chat with Nicolas Minassian and Stéphane Sarrazin, two former Peugeot Sport drivers recruited by the 8-time World Rally Champion, who has entered the no. 19 Oreca 03-Nissan for this weekend's event.

After that the Prime Minister and Hubert Falco walked up the pit road followed by the lenses of numerous TV cameras and photographers present. They then went to the press room to talk about the current well-advanced negotiations to bring the French F1 Grand Prix back to the circuit in the Var.

The French Prime Minister is a lover of motor sport in general and endurance in particular so he obviously mentioned the Le Mans circuit as he is from the town itself. In 2009, he drove the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP that had won the Le Mans 24 Hours five months earlier on the famous track in the Sarthe, and he also took part in the second Le Mans Classic in 2004.

During the weekend, the European Le Mans Series paddock may also be visited by another prominent personality, Sébastien Loeb, who had to retire yesterday in the Portuguese rally. The reigning world champion may come to see his team's racing debut.