24h Le Mans
The caliber of the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is improving yet again this year with the arrival of former Formula 1 drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, Pastor Maldonado and Giedo van der Garde, not to mention the return of Loïc Duval. With all the other talent in the class, the battle for victory is sure to be outstanding.
This year, the competitive level of the LMP2 class at Le Mans is shaping up more fierce than ever. Seven LMP2 cars are committed to the entire 2018-2019 Super Season of the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), but at this year's edition of the 24 Hours that number will skyrocket to 20, making it the largest class in the race.
Former Formula 1 drivers are also joining the ranks of very competitive teams in the class. Juan-Pablo Montoya (97 F1 Grand Prix) will take the wheel of United Autosports' #32 Ligier JS P217, Pastor Maldonado will take the reigns of DragonSpeed's #31 ORECA 07-Gibson and Giedo van der Garde will represent Racing Team Nederland with the #29 Dallara P217-Gibson. They will rub elbows with veterans in the discipline such as Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval.
Nicolas Lapierre - driver of Signatech Alpine Matmut's #36 Alpine A470-Gibson - is impatient to hit the track and face off against these world class drivers at the 86th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: "This new season is looking good. There were some great duels last season. We can't wait to battle it out with top notch competitors again. We are very happy and looking forward to it."
Pastor Maldonado has 96 Formula 1 Grand Prix to his credit. Now the Venezuelan driver is gearing up to participate in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans. After doing his first laps at the Prologue, the official tests of the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in Le Castellet, France, he said: "The camaraderie and atmosphere within the team are fantastic. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be a highlight of the season. We need to be completely relaxed and enjoy it."
