Nicolas Minassian today made his race debut in the new FIA World Endurance Championship at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, running in a strong seventh position until late race mechanical gremlins denied him the result he hoped for.

The Frenchman, competing in a Pescarolo-entered Dome Judd with team-mate Sebastien Bourdais, qualified ninth for the six hour endurance event, round two of the WEC.

The race had started in typical Ardennes soggy and overcast condition ... 

Nicolas Minassian made his race debut today with Sebastien Loeb Racing alongside team-mates Nicolas Marroc and Stephane Sarrazin in the opening round of the European Le Mans Series. The race saw the trio pilot the #19 entry to an impressive second position.

Starting in seventh, Minassian took the first stint behind the wheel of the Nissan-powered Oreca 03, climbing to fifth position before handing over to Marroc.

With momentum on their side, the all-French sq ... 

Nicolas Minassian and Sebastien Loeb Racing team-mates Stephane Sarrazin and Nicolas Marroc head into the first race of the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard after qualifying in seventh position.

All three drivers took part in practice with Minassian adapting to the #19 Oreca 03 LMP2 before handing the car over to Sarrazin for qualifying.

"This is our first meeting, so our goal is to understand how the car and tyres [work]," Minassian explained. "Two typ ... 

Nicolas Minassian is no stranger to Petit Le Mans or Team Oreca-Matmut. This year Minassian heads to the classic Road Atlanta circuit in the rolling hills of Northeast Georgia and is clearly relishing the challenge...

Nicolas, what’s it like to be teaming up again with Team Oreca-Matmut?

”I’ve always kept in touch with the team, and excellent relationships, whether it be with (team boss) Hugues de Chaunac, Philippe Leloup (team manager), David Floury (t ...