The WEC has announced today that Pipo Derani, Antonio Giovanazzi and Gustavo Menezes have been nominated for LMP1 drives in this year’s Bahrain Rookie Test, set to take place on the Sunday after this year’s season finale at the Sakhir circuit.
The three drivers were chosen by promoters from the WEC, ELMS and the Asian Le Mans Series, and hands each driver the chance to complete at least 30 laps with their manufacturer. The LMP1 manufacturers may also use the time on track to test additional drivers if they wish.
Menezes, who has starred this year in the #36 Alpine and leads the LMP2 championship, will be driving for Porsche.
“I’m speechless,” Menezes told DSC. “As a Silver it’s an incredible opportunity, I can’t thank the Alpine team enough for helping me along the way. To get the chance to drive a dream car is shocking, I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Realistically this sort of test session is exactly what I want and what the WEC needs, to give the junior single-seater drivers coming through the P2 ranks chances to drive in P1 as a reward.”
Derani meanwhile, who won this year’s Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours driving with ESM, is set to drive for Toyota and Giovanazzi, who is poised to win the 2016 GP2 single seater series with one race weekend to go and is making is WEC debut this weekend with ESM, will fill the final slot with Audi.
“The Rookie Test is a fantastic opportunity for these three up-and-coming endurance drivers to test an LMP1 prototype, the most technologically advanced race cars in the world,” said WEC boss Gerard Neveau. “We looked in depth at drivers from within the world of endurance racing before making the selection, and believe that Pipo Derani, Antonio Giovinazzi and Gustavo Menezes fully deserved the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and potential.
“This Rookie Test will give drivers an added bonus to their season, and forms an important element in the progressive career path available within the endurance family.”
The other teams competing in the WEC’s round at Bahrain are also able to take part in the test as a chance to evaluate potential drivers for the 2017 season. The list of prospective drivers is set to be released next week, with the full list available before the WEC meeting in Bahrain.
Running times on the 20th of November will be from 10am to Midday and then 1pm to 4pm.
