The Richard Mille Racing Team just a heartbeat from the hyperpole 10.06.2022: • The starting grid of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans is now set • Charles Milesi signs the best qualifying performance at Le Mans in the Richard Mille Racing Team history • The No. 1 Oreca-Gibson will start from 1

•    The starting grid of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans is now set
 
•    Charles Milesi signs the best qualifying performance at Le Mans in the Richard Mille Racing Team history
 
•    The No. 1 Oreca-Gibson will start from 12th place on the grid, and seventh in the LMP2 category
 
•    The team completed its on-track preparations after covering almost 3000 kilometres since Sunday





Charles Milesi, Sébastien Ogier and Lilou Wadoux were back in action on Wednesday for the first free practice session after a highly productive Test Day on Sunday. The team and its drivers took the opportunity to conduct routine checks on the different systems and to run in the mechanical and electronic components while fine-tuning the balance and settings of their No. 1 Oreca-Gibson.
 


Only two hours later, the team was back on track for qualifying with Charles Milesi. After a first lap completed in 3:33.214s, the Frenchman improved to 3:31.368s before dealing with traffic and a red flag on his second run. However, the resumption of qualifying coincided with the wind and the first drops of rain, depriving him of any hope of further improving his time.



Thanks to his 3:31.368s effort, Charles Milesi set the best qualifying result in the history of the Richard Mille Racing Team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing seventh in the LMP2 category; just seven-tenths of a second off of advancing to the Hyperpole.
 


"It's an excellent result, enthused Charles Milesi. After our difficult qualifying sessions at Sebring and Spa, it's fantastic to be on the doorstep of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole. The gap could have been even closer with a better tow and a spot of luck in traffic.



The most important thing is that all three of us are more comfortable in the car. Sébastien and Lilou have kept gaining more experience on this track, and we are heading in the right direction. I'm sure we have the potential to be even better and we focused our Thursday work on the race to be as ready as we can."
 


"I'm extremely pleased with the level of performance we've achieved, added team manager Philippe Sinault. We were very close to making it into the Hyperpole even if it was not the main target. Charles put in an excellent performance. I also appreciate all the work done with Lilou and Sébastien and their quick ability to adapt to the unique challenges of Le Mans.



We did a lot of laps, and they are getting more and more comfortable. Our plan for them was to get their bearings and find their footing in all conditions. The team now seems to be well settled after just two races. We can sense the development of a nice dynamic and it shows both in the sense of serenity and on the timing screens. It's a good sign for the race."
 


The trio resumed their preparations with the first night session of the week. Lilou Wadoux and Sébastien Ogier discovered what it is like to drive an LMP2 car at night. The three drivers took advantage of the opportunity to get their bearings in total darkness and complete their five compulsory laps in these conditions before midnight. The work continued on Thursday with one free practice session during the day and one at night to fine-tune their routine in preparation for the race.
 


After the parade in the city centre on Friday evening, the Richard Mille Racing Team will participate in the 15-minute pre-race warm-up session Saturday morning, before the start of the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at 4 pm.
 




Qualifying – LMP2

1. WRT n°31 – 3:29.898s
2. JOTA n°38 +0.226s
3. Realteam by WRT n°41 +0.542s
4. United Autosports USA n°23 +0.670s
5. United Autosports USA n°22 +0.741
7. Richard Mille Racing Team n°1 +1.470s
 



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