15 cars are on the provisional entry list for the FIA World Endurance Championship ‘Rookie’ Test, set to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit the day after the final round of the 2016 WEC season, on Sunday the 20th of November.
At this early stage 15 cars are planning to complete, nearly half the full season field. On the list there is representation from three classes of competition, including the three 2016 LMP1 manufacturers, Audi, Porsche and Toyota. As previously announced, three drivers who have been selected by the Promoter for showing great potential will get a taste of the cutting-edge hybrid technology which has thrilled fans throughout the year, most spectacularly at the recent 6 Hours of Fuji.
The first two are Gustavo Menezes (Porsche 919 Hybrid) and Pipo Derani (Toyota TS050 HYBRID), but unfortunately Antonio Giovinazzi’s GP2 commitments leading into the finale of that championship mean that he will not be able to drive the Audi R18.
The nomination by the promoter for his replacement will be a driver recognised for his global performances over the last two years, 2014 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Champion and current Baxi DC Racing Alpine driver, Paul-Loup Chatin of France.
Drivers familiar and new to the WEC in LMP1
As well as the official ‘rookies’ named above, a more familiar name will be getting his first experience, with all three manufacturers, of the high-tech, hybrid power on offer from these magnificent Le Mans Prototypes.
Yannick Dalmas, the official FIA Driver Adviser at every WEC round, will be testing the Audi, Porsche and Toyota in order to increase his first-hand knowledge of these cars and see for himself the levels of visibility, the approaching speeds to other categories of cars and so on.
Both Porsche and Toyota have committed to two cars to take advantage of the ideal track and climatic testing conditions on offer.
Also taking advantage of the test will be the CLM P1/01 AER from Austrian LMP1 Privateer ByKolles Racing Team.
LMP2 entries in force
In the LMP2 class, five teams (six cars) are currently planning to be testing with a view to the 2017 season although many have not yet named the drivers taking part.
G-Drive Racing’s ORECA 05 Nissan will see young, British, single-seater driver Tom Jackson behind the wheel together with rising Puerto Rican star Felix Seralles, while young American hot shot Will Owen from Colorado and Mexican talent Patricio (Pato) O’Ward will be in the seat of the RGR Sport Ligier JS P2 Nissan.
Aston Martin v Ferrari in LMGTE
Representing the LMGTE categories will be two Aston Martin Vantages and an AF Corse Ferrari 488. Aston Martin Racing has named a number of drivers including Alex Lynn, who made his WEC LMP2 debut in Fuji.
Four other young Britons and Turkish driver Salih Yoluc will get a taste of top GTE power in the Vantage.
The final entry list for the test, which will run be from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.00, will be announced the week prior to the 6 Hours of Bahrain.
You can download the entry list HERE >>
