The pre-season test at Paul Ricard is something of a tradition for the Le Mans Series. Typically it represents the first opportunity for the public to see the cars and drivers of the upcoming season, and the 2010 iteration was no different.
The Beechdean Mansell Motorsport team had their first fully public outing after a limited testing schedule at Portimao last month, with Nigel leaving most of the Ricard running to his sons Greg and Leo. Team Oreca will campaign two very different cars this season: a customer Peugeot 908 diesel and their own Oreca 01 chassis with AIM’s petrol V10.
Nigel Mansell was far from the only former Formula 1 star present, one-time nemesis Alain Prost was in attendance to keep a watchful eye over son Nico’s Rebellion Lola. Meanwhile, in the other corner of the Rebellion garage, Mario Andretti was on hand to offer grandson Marco support. The younger Prost and Andretti will share the #12 Lola at the 24 Heures du Mans in June. Jean Alesi and Giancarlo Fisichella took turns testing AF Corse’s GT2 Ferrari 430, taking the former Ferrari F1 pilots tally to five. As in 2009, 1996 Monaco Grand Prix victor Olivier Panis will contest the full LMS season and the 24 hours for Team Oreca.
2010 will also see the European debut of HPD’s ARX-01c chassis which Strakka Racing will campaign in the LMS and at La Sarthe and RML will utilise the HPD V8 in the back of their Lola coupe after two frustrating years with Mazda power.
Matech’s GT1 Ford GT driver lineup was also notable for being all-Swiss, and all-female. Cindy Alemann, Natacha Gachnang and Raël Frey will race together at the Spa 1000km and the Le Mans 24, while Belgian Vanina Ickx confirmed her seat in the Signature-Plus Aston Martin LMP1 for the same races.
Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Ginetta Zytek GZ09S
Jean Alesi has joined AF Corse for 2010
The Formula Le Mans cars will provide a fifth class in LMS races this year
Strakka Racing's HPD ARX-01c
Pitstop practice with a new car - the Le Mans-winning Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP - for Team Oreca
Rebellion Racing debut the 2010 Lola aero with a new livery
Promo shot headed by Nigel Mansell
Bruichladdich
Oreca's Peugeot 908 was fast - but not fast enough to beat the petrol-powered Oreca 01
IMSA Performance Matmut and AF Corse will do battle in a highly competitive GT2 field
The HTTT at Paul Ricard has long been an LMS test venue, but this year will host the first round of the championship with an 8 hour race
Former Le Mans winner Guy Smith joins Jean-Christophe Boullion and Andrea Belicchi in the #13 Rebellion Lola for the Ricard race and the LM24
Giancarlo Fisichella will race for AF Corse in 2010 alongside his Ferrari F1 testing duties
Oreca ran both the "Sprint" (pictured) and "Endurance" front aero on their 908 during the two day test
IMSA's GT2 Porsche
RML switch to HPD power and Dunlop rubber for 2010. As ever, Mike Newton and Tommy Erdos share driving duties
The Lowe's sticker and distinctive bright red and green helmet mark the return of Adrian Fernandez to European competition
Unlike the Michelin-shod works cars, Signature Plus' "customer" Lola Aston Martin LMP will utilise Dunlop boots for the coming season
The sunshine belied the low temperatures
