24h Le Mans
Along with China, Russia has emerged as a powerhouse nation in the discipline of Endurance racing thanks to two teams: SMP Racing and G-Drive Racing. For the last five years, the latter has been a major player in the LMP2 class, with three titles, a win record in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Originally, G-Drive was the name of the automotive fuel produced by Russia's Gazprom-Neft, one of the world's largest suppliers of natural gas. Its foray into the sporting world, initiated by the driver Roman Rusinov, has since 2012 been in every season of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the LMP2 class, first under the name G-Drive Racing by Signatech-Nissan (2012) then G-Drive Racing (since 2013).
G-Drive Racing has called upon the cream of the LMP2 class to run its cars: Signatech (today Signatech Alpine) in 2012, ADR-Delta in 2013, Onroak Automotive (constructor of Morgan and Ligier LMP2 chassis) in 2014 and 2015, Jota Sport in 2016, DragonSpeed in 2017 (only in the European Le Mans Series) and TDS Racing (in the WEC only) in 2017.
As for drivers, Roman Rusinov has demonstrated a remarkable flair in the choice of his teammates: among others British drivers Mike Conway (now a factory Toyota driver), Sam Bird (currently a factory Ferrari driver in LMGTE Pro), Alex Brundle, Will Stevens and Alex Lynn, Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde and Frenchmen Olivier Pla and Julien Canal.
With 17 wins since 2013, G-Drive Racing is the winningest team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the LMP2 class and won the Drivers and Teams titles in 2015. Add to that three victories and two consecutive LMP2 titles (2016 and 2017) in as many years of participation in the European Le Mans Series.
Paradoxically, G-Drive Racing has yet to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans: for now, its best result at the legendary race dates back to 2015 with third and fourth place in the LMP2 class (11th and 12th overall). It's a safe bet a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be a priority objective for the Russian team in 2018, the ultimate jewel of an already impressive track record.
Click below for the first installment in this series about outstanding Russian teams in today's Endurance racing:
From Russia with Love (1) - SMP Racing, a methodical rise
PHOTO: In 2016 and 2017, G-Drive Racing competed on two fronts in the LMP2 class: the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the European Le Mans Series.
