Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy will make his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in June after signing with LMP2 team Algarve Pro Racing.
Hoy will become the first Summer Olympic medallist to compete in the famous endurance race.
The Scot is set to partner Michael Munemann and Andrea Pizzitola in an Algarve Pro Racing-entered Ligier JS P2-Nissan.
“In motorsports terms, it’s everything,” said Hoy. “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle for me. It’s what I’ve been working for over the past three years.”
“To get the news that I have the seat for Le Mans is amazing. I still can’t quite believe it.
“It’s exciting but there are a lot of steps to take between now and then so I’m trying to focus on the short-term. I’m also incredibly excited that I’m going to be starting on the same grid as all these legendary drivers.”
Last season Hoy clinched his first motorsport title, winning the European Le Mans Series LMP3 class with Charlie Robertson. During the winter the six time Olympic champion tested a Greaves Motorsport Gibson 015S-Nissan, as part of his prize.
The Le Mans drive comes after an intensive driver development program coordinated by Nissan, which started with Hoy’s British GT debut aboard a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in 2014.
“The time from my racing debut to getting a Le Mans drive has been short but many GT Academy athletes have done the journey even quicker,” said Hoy. “It’s incredible what can be achieved with the right support and the right people around you.”
“I’ve been very lucky to have that. I’ve had some great driver coaching, some great advice from the drivers themselves and I’ve had access to the simulator. All the same support the GT Academy drivers have.”
As preparation for his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut, Hoy will also take part in the opening two rounds of the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone and Imola.
