Team ORECA Matmut on a roll

An almost flawless race in LMP1

With only two rounds of the 2010 season remaining the Le Mans Series holds the race-fans spellbound. Many men and teams are mathematically in with a shot at the title. It all bodes well for a gripping climax to the 2010 title chase and a victory in Hungary next month could seriously change the face of the title fight.

So, Team ORECA Matmut is right back on top of its game, and Rebellion Racing tried to maintain an impressive challenge. Does Team ORECA Matmut's first victory in the season mean that it has taken a step forward? What is for certain is that they desperately needed that victory, just as Rebellion Racing needed such a strong second place to stem the challenge.

Despite starting from pole at Le Castellet, the French team couldn't do better than third because of technical gremlins and had to retire at Spa after Olivier Panis ended in the tire wall helped by another competitor. Today's victory is a reward for the team hard work as Olivier Panis said: “I would like to thank the whole team, from the mechanics to the engineers. This victory was important for them. It is a great pleasure to climb on the first step of the podium again, moreover with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. It is great to win so shortly after Le Mans and I hope there are more victories to come. I really enjoyed the weekend.”

Rebellion Racing looked a lot more convincing than they had in the previous rounds, and #12 Lola-Rebellion, driven by Nicolas Prost and Neel Jani, was fast enough to be the runner-up although the squad started last. Lady luck was on their side today! Third place is a kind of a relief for Team Signature after the retirement at Le Mans. There is a lady on the podium as Vanina Ickx shared the duty with Pierre Ragues and Franck Mailleux.

To read the complete final press release, click here.

To download all the time sheets of the test session and the race, as well as the classifications, click here.