Simon Pagenaud has become the latest headline-grabbing driver confirmed for the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Pagenaud, rookie of the year after a maiden Indycar campaign in 2012, will join Team Sahlen for the race at Daytona International Speedway (January 26-27), the squad’s first race in the premier Daytona Prototype class, having previously raced in the Rolex Series’ GT ranks.
The Frenchman, previously part of the works Peugeot Sport set-up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans Series will join Team Sahlen regulars Dane Cameron and Wayne Nonnamaker in the #42 BMW-Riley.
“Team Sahlen is showing great promise and together we will face a fantastic challenge,” said Pagenaud. “I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the first time.
“Dane is a great talent who I watched in Star Mazda and I am looking forward to working with Wayne and the whole team. I will do my best to bring my ‘A’ game and help the team complete their goals.”
Pagenaud and the rest of the Team Sahlen team – a second BMW-Riley will also be on the grid for the team – will face strong opposition in the 51st running of the Daytona 24 Hours.
A trio of Pagenaud’s fellow Peugeot Sport refugees will join Enzo Potolicchio in the Venezuelan’s new 8 Star team – Pedro Lamy, Nicolas Minassian and Stephane Sarrazin helping crewing the Corvette Daytona Prototype.
Another former Peugeot man – and another who competed in Indycar in 2012 – Sebastien Bourdais is set to race for Starworks Motorsport alongside – among others – Allan McNish. Mike Rockenfeller – twice a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner with Audi – and Nelson Piquet Jr. will both race for Action Express Racing.
