Manor has confirmed the signing of British prospect Matt Rao ahead of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
Rao, a single-seater graduate, joins Will Stevens and James Jakes in the team’s Oreca 05-Nissan LMP2 car.
The 21 year old finished second in the 2014 British Formula 3 Championship and has since competed in European Formula 3 with Fortec Motorsport.
In November he got his first taste of LMP2 machinery at the WEC rookie test in Bahrain, driving a Signatech-run Alpine A450b.
“I’m really pleased to be a part of this exciting new challenge with Manor, they have a fantastic reputation, and I know that their experience and professionalism will deliver great results,” said Rao. “LMP2 has become an ultra-competitive series which is full of top quality drivers and teams. I am looking forward to The Prologue and driving the ORECA 05 for the first time.”
“Manor has a history of working with some great young drivers and we are delighted to welcome another talented youngster to the team,” added team principal John Booth.
“Matt is a very exciting prospect, last year’s WEC Rookie test provided him with an opportunity to get to grips with LMP2 machinery for the first time and we are now looking forward to going racing with him in 2016 and seeing what results we can achieve together.”
Rao will join Stevens, Jakes and the rest of the two-car Manor WEC team at the official Paul Ricard test on March 25-26.
