Eurasia Motorsport has made two changes to its driver lineup ahead of the European Le Mans Series finale at Estoril this weekend.
The team confirmed on its website that ‘business reasons’ have forced Nico Pieter de Bruijn and Pu Jun Jin to miss the Portuguese round.
They will be replaced by Michael Lyons and Frederic Vervisch, with full-season driver Tristan Gommendy also set to drive the Nissan-powered ORECA 05.
Lyons is a familiar face in the ELMS paddock, having raced with Irish LMP2 squad Murphy Prototypes last season. The seasoned historic Formula One and sportscar racer also has experience in the Blancpain GT Series and at the Bathurst 12 Hours.
Belgian driver Vervisch, meanwhile, will make his prototype debut at Estoril. The 30 year old is best known for his GT3 exploits, racing in the Blancpain GT Series alongside Laurens and Dries Vanthoor in a WRT-entered works Audi R8.
Vervisch is also a Eurasia Motorsport alumnus, and even won the 2007-8 Asian Formula 3 championship with the team before going on to race in Superleague Formula.
“We believe we have a strong line up which will allow us to end the year on a high note,” said Team Principal Mark Goddard. “We know what Michael can do having competed against him in the European Le Mans Series.
“While this will be Frederic’s first Le Mans Prototype experience we know what he is capable of after his season of Asian F3 with us and I am sure he will be competitive.”
Following an early DNF at the 4 Hours of Spa in September, Eurasia Motorsport is hoping to end its 2016 season on a high with a good result in Portugal to move up from fifth in the standings.
The ELMS 4 Hours of Estoril takes place this weekend (October 21-23) with the race itself getting underway on Sunday (Oct 23) at 13:30 local/UK time.
