The ‘mystery’ package for the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series, set to get underway in two weeks time in the UAE, was the #98 99 Racing Team Oreca 07.
The car has now been confirmed as being crewed by 2021 Asian Le Mans runner-up and current Lexus GTD Pro factory driver Ben Barnicoat, Bronze-rated ex GP2 and WTCC racer Felix Porteiro who returns to racing after more than a decade and, somewhat controversially, ex HAAS F1 driver Nikita Mazepin.
Mazepin said in a team statement: “I am delighted to be making my return to racing in the Asian Le Mans Series. Together with my teammates at 99 Racing, I’m hoping to have a great experience competing in the sport I love.”
The Russian has been out of racing outside of his home country since being dropped by the Haas team in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He, together with his father, is personally named in both the EU and UK Sanctions against Russian interests and individuals in the response to his home nation’s ongoing military action.
Barnicoat, who finished a close second overall in the 2021 Asian Le Mans points, said: “I’m really excited to be driving for 99 Racing in this year’s Asian Le Mans Series with Nikita and Felix. I was teammates with Nikita back in Formula 3 so it will be fun to team up with him again for his first experience of endurance sportscar racing. Felix has been great to work with so far, and I feel we have an extremely strong line-up and team in 99 Racing for the championship. ”
Porteiro previously raced on the single-seater ladder up to the GP2 Series between 2001 and 2006 before contesting the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) until 2009:
“I am so happy for this big challenge after 14 years without racing and I can’t wait for the Asian Le Mans season to start. I want to say thanks to 99 Racing for this opportunity. The team members are very professional and my teammates are so experienced, I am sure they will do a great job. I hope to learn as much as possible from both Ben and Nikita. Let’s go!”
Dan Hodder, 99 Racing Sporting Director, said: “We’re happy to confirm that we’ll be entering the Asian Le Mans Series. It is a great championship for 99 Racing to launch into sportscar racing, which is currently going through a resurgence. With 48 entries, it is once again a highly competitive field.
“As Ben previously finished runner-up in the Asian le Mans, he will be a key component of us getting up-to-speed as the new team on the block. Of course, it’s an opportunity for Nikita to try something new in a professional yet more relaxed environment to what he’s accustomed to in Formula 1, and we can already see his desire and commitment to be competitive from the outset. For Felix to be making a comeback to racing is also a touching story, and we’re delighted to give him that opportunity.”
The response to the news of Mazepin’s involvement has already attracted media interest beyond the specialist motorsport media.
