Signature : Franck Mailleux

French Le Mans Series driver Franck Mailleux is relishing the first opportunity to get properly acquainted with his new berth for the 2010 season, as official pre-season testing gets underway at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France this weekend. 

The 24-year-old will take part in his second full season in the LMP1 class at the wheel of an Aston Martin after his Signature team secured the lucrative status as Official LMP1 Partner of Aston Martin Racing for the 2010 season.

As such, Franck will contest this season's championship as an Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Driver, alongside his team-mate Pierre Ragues, in the 008 car. 

Eight teams are set to test their machines in earnest for the first time this weekend as Paul Ricard hosts a two-day test session. It will be the only occasion for all teams to test alongside each other in preparation for the season-opening race, the 8h du Castellet, which also takes place on the 5.791km configuration of the Paul Ricard track in April.

The Signature team enjoyed a very commendable debut season in the LMP1 championship in 2009 but will be hoping to make an important step this season with the valuable backing and support of Aston Martin, who are reigning LMP1 champions. Signature conducted a shakedown of the Lola Aston Martin LMP1 at the Lurcy-Levis track on Wednesday in preparation for this weekend's test.

Franck commented: "It has been a long winter in anticipation of this exciting season for all of the Signature team. To have the honour of becoming an Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Driver in just my second full season in the Le Mans Series is a very special achievement for me personally. 

"I have been working hard over the winter months to keep in peak fitness for this year's championship and, after our brief shakedown at Lurcy-Levis on Wednesday, I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the number 008 car in Paul Ricard on Sunday and Monday. It will be an important test session for us as we begin the get properly acquainted with our car for the year. The first race of the season will take place at Paul Ricard so our test will take on even greater importance."

"After such a solid season in 2009, we are all aiming to raise the bar higher this season with podiums a clear objective and from there we will see how high up the podium we can go. Together with the support of Aston Martin, Signature and my personal sponsor Sojasun, I am expecting great things this year."