24h Le Mans
The 2017 season has certainly confirmed the recent trend of budding hopefuls making an early commitment to a career in endurance, primarily in LMP2, but also in the LMGTE classes. We look back on a successful year for 14 talented young drivers, all aged under 24.
These 14 drivers, with an average age of just 21, originate from ten different countries. We already know that two of them will move up to LMP1 for the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season since Rebellion Racing announced that Thomas Laurent and Gustavo Menezes had signed for the team.
Thomas Laurent (19, France, Jackie Chan DC Racing, LMP2) – Three class wins in the 2017 WEC (Silverstone, Le Mans and Nürburgring), second overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two 2016–17 Asian Le Mans Series wins (Zhuhai and Buriram), and two 2017–18 Asian Le Mans Series wins (Zhuhai and Fuji) to date.
Gustavo Menezes (23, USA, LMP2) – Two 2016–17 Asian Le Mans Series wins (Zhuhai and Buriram, Jackie Chan DC Racing) and one WEC class win (Circuit Of The Americas, Signatech Alpine Matmut).
Alex Lynn (24, UK, G-Drive Racing, LMP2) – One WEC class win (Spa-Francorchamps), LMP2 pole position at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Léo Roussel (22, France, G-Drive Racing, LMP2) – One European Le Mans Series win (Monza), 2017 LMP2 champion.
Hugo de Sadeleer (20, Switzerland) & Will Owen (22, USA, both United Autosports, LMP2) – Two European Le Mans Series wins (Silverstone and Red Bull Ring), fifth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
James Allen (21, Australia, Graff, LMP2) – Two European Le Mans Series wins (Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão).
Harrison Newey (19, UK, Jackie Chan DC Racing, LMP2) – Two 2017–18 Asian Le Mans Series wins (Zhuhai and Fuji) to date.
Matevos Isaakyan (19) & Egor Orudzhev (22, Russia, SMP Racing, LMP2) – One European Le Mans Series win (Le Castellet).
Ryo Hirakawa (23, Japan, G-Drive Racing, LMP2) – One European Le Mans Series win (Monza).
Pipo Derani (24, Brazil, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team UK, LMGTE Pro) – One WEC class win (Silverstone), second in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Marvin Dienst (20, Germany, Dempsey-Proton Racing, LMGTE Am) – Two WEC wins (Nürburgring and Mexico).
Matteo Cairoli (21, Italy, Dempsey-Proton Racing and Proton Competition) – Two WEC LMGTE Am-class wins (Nürburgring and Mexico) and one European Le Mans Series LMGTE-class win (Portimão).
Photo: Second overall and LMP2 class winner on his début 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance, Frenchman Thomas Laurent spearheads a new generation of talented young drivers who epitomise the vibrancy of the endurance pyramid.
