LMP2 squad KCMG is aiming to make further progress at this week’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Prologue at Paul Ricard. (March 27-28).
The Chinese team has brought its new ORECA 05-Nissan coupe to the French circuit, with Richard Bradley and Matthew Howson scheduled to drive. New signings Nick Tandy and Nicolas Lapierre will also be on hand to gain further experience in LMP2 machinery.
A total of 29 teams from the FIA WEC’s four classes will share the 5.8 km track for five sessions, which act as a shakedown prior to the championship’s opening round at Silverstone on April 12.
Despite being a fairly new creation, the ORECA 05 has already proven its pace, with European Le Mans Series customer Thiriet by TDS Racing setting the fastest lap of Tuesday’s official test session. KCMG will be hoping for similar results in the FIA WEC test this weekend, in a field of nine other LMP2 teams that are all eager to demonstrate their one-lap pace at the start of the season.
“The Prologue is an important outing for the team as it allows us to fine tune the car’s set up and provide an opportunity for the drivers and crew to work together in an environment similar to a real race,” said team manager Erich Kolb. “In addition, we’re also looking forward to have Nick and Nicolas test since they both missed the shakedown early this month.”
Lapierre, who joined the team for the Spa and Le Mans rounds earlier this week, added, “This will be a new and exciting challenge and The Prologue will be an opportunity for me to learn more and drive the ORECA 05. The two-day test will be about getting to grips with the LMP2 and to finally meet the entire KCMG team and my new teammates. I’m looking forward to get back behind the wheel again and to contribute to KCMG’s campaign in WEC and Le Mans this year.”
The FIA WEC Prologue will begin tomorrow (March 27) at 08:00 GMT.
