Austrian NASCAR Whelen Euro Series team DF1 Racing announced yesterday its 2016 driver lineup, featuring two legendary names that will join the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Forty years after the famous 1976 Formula 1 World Championship title battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, Freddie Hunt will compete in the 2016 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season for DF1 Racing Team – alongside Niki’s son Mathias.
“I am very pleased to drive for DF1 Racing Team in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series next season alongside Matthias Lauda,” said Hunt. “DF1 Racing Team is a very competitive team and they have a proven record of winning and competing week in, week out at the top. I’m looking forward to pre-season testing next year so I can get to grips with these cars.”
After racing in open wheels and touring car series, including a stint in the Renault Clio Cup on the TOCA package earlier this year, Hunt will debut in NASCAR next year driving the #77 DF1 Racing Chevrolet SS. Lauda meanwhile will continue to dovetail a partial EuroNASCAR schedule with his factory Aston Martin Racing commitments, and will announce his EuroNASCAR program later. One thing’s for certain – the man who made history as the first ever winner of a NASCAR-sanctioned oval race in the rain (at Tours Speedway in 2014) is relishing further outings in the #66 DF1 Racing Chevrolet.
“As far as pure racing goes, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series is the best you can drive,” said Lauda. “I really look forward to next year and I hope I can do as many races as possible and that with Freddie we can for a very strong team.”
DF1 Racing Team and Freddie Hunt will decide which division the Englishman will take part in after undergoing a first series of off-season tests. The team have also announced the re-signing of Christian Malcherek, who has impressed in ELITE 2 outings with the team this year.
