Race report
European Le Mans
Podium at Imola for Morand Racing
The drivers of the Switzerland based team, Morand Racing, concluded their weekend with a third overall place.
Edited: May 19, 2013, 3:59 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Natacha Gachnang and Franck Mailleux offer Morand Racing their first podium in highly competitive European Le Mans Series championship.
#43 Morand Racing Morgan Judd: Natacha Gachnang, Franck Mailleux
Photo by: XPB Images
At Imola on the Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari, the drivers of the Switzerland based team concluded their weekend with a third overall place.
After qualifying on the third row of the starting grid at the end of two free practice sessions disturbed by rain, the Morgan Onroak powered by Judd has been able to show its real potential.
Following the strategy decided by the team, the French driver has been able to keep contact with the leaders while keeping his LM P2 prototype in good shape for the end of the race.
At the end of his hour and a half stint, Franck Mailleux was third. Natacha Gachnang had to face a few drops of rain when she was back on track after the pit stop and a trouble free stint allowed her to cross the finish line in third position.
Joe Genoud - Team owner: “Being on the podium here in Imola is something huge, an amazing feeling! This championship is just as competitive as our satisfaction to be on the podium is huge! Our mechanics worked up to 2 in the morning due to a problem with brakes and this podium is an amazing achievement for them. Today is a great day for Morand Racing.”
Benoit Morand – Team Manager: “Before Le Mans which is just ahead of us, we had to do a trouble free race but we also had to show our colors and materialize all the amazing job done by our partners: Onroak, Judd and Dunlop. Franck made a wonderful job behind the wheel by keeping the right rhythm on track and staying close to the leaders from the head of the race.
After the pit stop, Natacha made a trouble free stint and Morand Racing is on the podium after two races only. Tonight is a huge satisfaction for all us involved : our partners, our sponsors but also our engineers and mechanics who are working so hard in the shadow.”
Franck Mailleux: “Free practice sessions haven’t been easy for us and we had to qualify with a car that was difficult to drive. We could have expected a better result in qualification. What really mattered was not to take risks during the first part of the race, to be patient while keeping contact with the leaders. Giving Natacha a car in good pace was an absolute priority. This result is more than important for the championship.
Natacha Gachnang: “I have had very good feelings with the car here in Imola since Friday. As our main goal was to cross the finish line I have been very prudent but driving on the track today was just awesome and the result is truly fantastic. Our Morgan Judd was perfect from the beginning to the end of the race and it was really thrilling to race in those conditions.”
Morand Racing
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Montecalvo and Jeannette finish third for Ram Racing at Imola
Next article Again a 4th and a podium shortly missed for Camathias at Imola
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Natacha Gachnang
Great expectations for Newblood by Morand Racing, home event of Pierre Ragues
European Le Mans
European Le Mans
Paul Ricard
Great expectations for Newblood by Morand Racing, home event of Pierre Ragues
Long day of testing for ELMS competitors
European Le Mans
European Le Mans
Long day of testing for ELMS competitors
Jota Sport secure hard-earned podium finish at Paul Ricard
European Le Mans
European Le Mans
Jota Sport secure hard-earned podium finish at Paul Ricard
More from
Morand Racing
Senna targets LMP2 title: "We're ready to fight for wins"
WEC
WEC
Senna targets LMP2 title: "We're ready to fight for wins"
Senna rejoins WEC in new Morand LMP2 venture
WEC
WEC
Senna rejoins WEC in new Morand LMP2 venture
SARD Morand future unclear with Silverstone no show, driver reacts
WEC
WEC
SARD Morand future unclear with Silverstone no show, driver reacts
Latest news
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
Asian Le Mans
AsLM Asian Le Mans 2 h
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
4 h
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Denny Hamlin proud of season despite another likely missed title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
5 h
Denny Hamlin proud of season despite another likely missed title
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe