Malaysian Alex Yoong, a former F1 driver, was the first of his countrymen to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 (DNF), then again in 2007 (8th overall). Now, the Sepang protégés will make history when they become the first all-Malaysian line-up to start the French endurance marathon. They will also be competing in the full FIA WEC 2018-19 Super Season.

Nabil Jefferi, Jazeman Jaafar, Weiron Tan and Afiq Ikhwan Yazid will all drive #FortuneCat37 at the FIA WEC Prologue on 6 and 7 April at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, although only three of them will subsequently have an official race seat, with the fourth in the reserve role (N.B. the specific regulations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans state that reserve drivers are not permitted in La Sarthe).

Jazeman Jaafar, Weiron Tan and Afiq Ikhwan Yazid made quite an impression when they triumphed at the 6 Hours of Buriram this year, on their first appearance in the Asian Le Mans Series with Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota Sport. Meanwhile Nabil Jefferi, who competed in the GP2 championships in 2016 and Formula 2 in 2017, scoring points each time, made it onto the third podium step in the final round of the Asian championship with Eurasia Motorsport.

The crew is now complete in the #37 Oreca. Meanwhile, over in the #38 car, only Ho-Pin Tung, second overall and victorious in LMP2 at the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours with Jackie Chan DC Racing (in partnership with Jota Sport), has been officially confirmed, while Frenchman Gabriel Aubry’s name features on the entry list for the Prologue.

Photo (Copyright: Sepang International Circuit): The four Malaysian drivers (left to right, Weiron Tan, Nabil Jefferi, Afiq Ikhwan Yazid and Jazeman Jaafar) featured in a presentation of young talent at the Sepang Circuit.