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Nelson Panciatici: A positive outcome

The G-DRIVE RACING BY SIGNATECH NISSAN team and their drivers ended the first season in the history of the FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP on the beautiful circuit of Shanghai in China. They signed some solid performances this season notably with a fourth place in LMP2 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (10th overall), a podium in Silverstone and a fastest lap in LMP2 in the Fuji race. Nelson and his co-drivers, Pierre Ragues and Roman Rusinov, saw all their hopes of success vanish with a broken front brake disc just as they took second place in the LMP2 class. The blow was tough, especially after brushing with victory in Bahrain before a defective lighting to the side numbers put them out of the running!

Yet Nelson is still positive and satisfied with his first season in the discipline, he had a lot to appreciate:

"I would have loved to finish the season with another podium of course, but that's the race and you have to accept it! We were still competitive and fast. This year we were always in the fight for the podium and better. We were just short of that little bit of success to make it happen. Personally I think the outcome is positive overall, even if I have a few regrets. I learnt a lot at each race weekend and I can feel things better in traffic which allowed me to make some consistent relays. It wasn't the speed, which was a problem at the start, but more this difference of levels between cars! I had the good fortune to join one of the best LMP2 teams who always gave us an excellent car  and helped me a lot in my apprenticeship. The most powerful moments I will remember are the finish to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it was magical, and our podium at Silverstone with my co-drivers, Pierre and Roman with who I got on perfectly. I also got a lot of pleasure of driving our ORECA 03 NISSAN in endurance."

For Philippe Sinault, the manager of the G-DRIVE RACING BY SIGNATECH NISSAN, if there is regret, he also knows it bodes well for the future:

"I am disappointed by this season, certainly, because I am competitive by nature and we are here to win. All year long we've been in the battle for the podium or even a victory; we proved our level of performance many times over. 2012 leaves a bitter taste... for a good season there also needs to be success and I think this year was one without...with the #26, we started the season quite late. It was a first step and I hope to start again next year with this team which happened to turn out some of the best performances on the track. I would most particularly like to thank my team for their fantastic work, but also the drivers for their performance, their motivation and their team spirit, and thank our partners without who we would not have signed up for this fabulous adventure!"

The appointment is made then to take part in the World Endurance Championship 2013 with the hope of the same level of performance in hand with greater success!