Following DSC’s report earlier this month, British driver Matt Rao has been confirmed as the teammate of 2016 LMP2 Champions Nicolas Lapierre and Gustavo Menezes in the #36 Signatech Alpine A470 at the team’s pre-season announcement in Paris.
The team also confirmed in Paris that ex-Porsche LMP1 driver Romain Dumas will drive for the team at Spa and Le Mans, stepping in for Lapierre who will race with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
“It’s really exciting, I can’t wait for the season to start,” Rao told DSC when asked about his new driver. “It is great to work with the team, I’ve had a good relationship with them since the Bahrain Rookie Test two years ago so to race with them is a logical next step, especially after we gelled so well at the Aragon Test.”
The Dunlop test at Aragon was Rao’s first taste of the 2017-spec LMP2 machinery, which he feels are living up to expectations.
“The new LMP2 cars are great, you feel that you’re getting the correct amount of power now, as I thought that the older cars were always a bit under-powered. This year’s racing is going to be so close and tough, as there’s so many good lineups out there. I think there’s a real chance for overall podiums for us too now, with less P1 cars and the P2s being quicker.”
Last year – his debut in the series – Rao raced with Manor WEC in its first season racing in sportscars, an experience he believes has prepared him well for his second year in the championship.
“I definitely feel more confident going into this season,” he continued. “Last year Silverstone and Spa were the only two circuits I knew, so now I have experience at all of the tracks on the calendar it will definitely help me settle in. It was great to get the chance to race with Manor last year, even though there were some low points during the season.
“The team knows how to win, and Gustavo and Nicolas will be looking to re-capture their form from last season. It would be incredible to go all the way and win Le Mans and challenge for the title.”
For the team, adding Romain Dumas to the lineup is also a big signing, the Frenchman fresh from winning the LMP1 World Championship and Le Mans with Porsche in 2016.
“Like last year, we will need to overhaul a good portion of the operations work but this time around, we will at least be on an equal footing with our championship rivals,” added team principal Philippe Sinault.
“When Nicolas Lapierre told us about the opportunity he had been offered to challenge for outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we didn’t hesitate to release him. We then had to find a suitable replacement. But I think that having Romain Dumas as one of your drivers is a dream come true for any endurance team!”
