Tequila Patrón ESM has announced a major change to the remainder of their 2016 FIA WEC campaign as JAGONYA AYAM, KFC’s Indonesian branch, arrives as the main sponsor for the #30 Ligier Nissan for Fuji, Shanghai and Bahrain.
“Jagonya Ayam expressed interest in getting a taste of a P2 program, and we already had the car, crew and full season entry,” said Tequila Patrón ESM Team Owner Scott Sharp.
“Giedo Van der Garde, Sean Gelael, and Antonio Giovinazzi will take over the driving duties for the #30 Jagonya Ayam ESM Ligier.
Van der Garde has already raced in the WEC this year with G-Drive Racing at Spa and the Le Mans 24 Hours, adding to his full season commitment in the ELMS with the team’s Gibson Nissan effort.
Gelael and Giovinazzi were teammates during the 2013 and 2014 seasons in Formula 3, where Giovinazzi took his first F3 win. Gelael joined competition in the GP2 series in 2015, and together with Giovinazzi in the Asian Le Mans Series, the duo have celebrated two race wins this season for Eurasia Motorsport.
The pair also contested the Silverstone round of the European Le Mans Series this season with SMP Racing in their #44 BR01 Nissan.
ESM will continue to provide the crew and engineering support for the rest of the season for the #30 Jagonya Ayam ESM Ligier, in addition to the #31 Tequila Patrón ESM Ligier. It will mean a third full livery change in a single season for the #30 after the alcohol sponsorship ban in France again forced a change for both ESM Ligiers at Le Mans, Paul Mitchell Hair Products taking the place of Tequila Patron.
“We are really proud to be part of this program with a professional team such as Tequila Patrón ESM,” said JAGONYA AYAM Sporting Manager Francesco Principe. “The cars look competitive and we are confident our line-up will do their best during each session.”
The #31 Tequila Patrón ESM Ligier will continue to run the entire season with Ryan Dalziel, Pipo Derani, and Chris Cumming looking to top a season that has seen consistent podium finishes with a win in Asia. The team is currently third in the LMP2 Drivers’ Championship.
