24h Le Mans
The World Endurance Championship has chosen Formula V8 3.5 as a feeder series for LM P1, LM P2 and LM GTE. At least six of the nine Formula V8 3.5 races will be scheduled alongside WEC rounds next season.
Jaime Alguersuari Sr, chairman of Formule V8 3.5 organiser RPM Racing and Gérard Neveu, General Manager of the World Endurance Championship have agreed that Formula V8 3.5 races will be part of WEC race weekends. The partnership covers the rounds in Mexico, Japan and Bahrain as well as three European rounds: Silverstone, Spa and Nürburgring.
The aim is to give young single-seater drivers the chance to join a professional environment with the opportunity to move through the endurance ranks with minimum outlay. There is an added bonus in that the top three drivers will be invited to take part in the WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain for LM P1, LM P2 and LM GTE.
Gérard Neveu, General Manager of FIA WEC:
“It is very good news that the V8 3.5 series will join the FIA WEC race meetings from 2017. Great news for the fans, but also for the young drivers who are the champions of the future, and the future is tomorrow.
This single-seater championship has demonstrated for many years how very appealing and exciting it can be, while at the same time providing many great champions.
It makes sense to offer to the new generation of drivers access to a well-established championship such as the FIA WEC. The fact that the champions will have an opportunity to take part in the WEC’s official rookie test at the end of the season will be additional motivation and a target for everyone on the grid.
We know also that RPM, promoter of this single seater championship, shares the same values as the ACO, the promoter of the FIA WEC. It was logical to join together.
This combination of V8 3.5 and Sports Prototype and GT cars, in the same place at the same time, will provide for the pleasure of the fans a fantastic motorsport show with great racing over the same weekend, a real festival of motorsport.
The FIA WEC paddock is really delighted to welcome V8 3.5, and we look forward to moving ahead together with this project where the main target is to have happy drivers, competitors, manufacturers, partners, media and fans.”
(Quote courtesy of FIA WEC press release)
