IMSA star Christina Nielsen will race in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first Danish woman to compete at the event.
The 23 year old has signed for Danish GT outfit Formula Racing, which won the 2015 European Le Mans Series GTE title to gain an automatic entry for Le Mans.
Nielsen – a silver driver – will partner Mikkel Mac and Johnny Laursen at the French enduro, as well as the six race European Le Mans Series. The Formula Racing Ferrari 458 Italia will enter both competitions in the GTE-Am category.
“To be the first Danish woman to run the 24 hours of Le Mans seems completely unreal”, said Nielsen. “We have worked a long time on the project, and it is a dream come true. There are many Danish drivers who strive for a Le Mans-seat, and I am extremely grateful that Formula Racing has decided to give me the chance to help them to victory.”
This year Nielsen has made a big impression in North America, notably finishing second in the United Sportscar Championship GTD standings. The highlight of the year was a memorable second place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring, driving an Aston Martin Vantage alongside James Davison and Brandon Davis.
Her 2015 season also included fifteen appearances in Pirelli World Challenge and a second place result at the Le Mans-supporting Aston Martin Festival.
“We are extremely pleased that Christina Nielsen has agreed to run for us in the coming season”, said Allan Jorgensen, Formula Racing team principal.
“Christina has certainly proven to be a fast and stable GT driver and she has constantly managed to run at the top. Her experience with long-distance racing in the United States will undoubtedly strengthen our clear objective to both win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and repeat our victory in the European Le Mans Series.”
The 2016 European Le Mans Series will begin on April 16 at Silverstone, supporting the FIA World Endurance Championship, while the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on June 18-19.
