Josh Pearson, Nicola Varone and Antoine Dokan have been named by FIA WEC organizers to drive in the 2023 end-of-season rookie test at the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday 5 November.
All three “rookie” drivers selected to participate will complete a minimum of 30 laps in a title-winning vehicle in their designated category.
American teenager Josh Pearson (On top of that)Having raced in LMP2 with United Autosports for the past two seasons, he was given the opportunity to test the title-winning Toyota GR010 HYBRID.
The 17-year-old became the youngest driver to start in the Le Mans 24 Hours last year at the age of 16 and has won two WEC LMP2 races.
“I’m really excited to be getting my first experience in a hypercar, especially with a team like Toyota that is so experienced and passionate about hypercars,” he said.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to have been selected and am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel. I would also like to thank United Autosports, my co-driver and driver coach Stephen Simpson. I owe a lot of my progress as a driver to them. I can’t wait to get started!”
The LMP2 candidate will be 2023 GTE Am title winner Nico Varone, who will drive the winning Oreca 07 Gibson. With the title still undecided, the Argentine will not know whether he will test at WRT, InterEuropol or United Autosport until after the final eight-hour race of the season.
Vallone comes to test after a very impressive debut season in WEC, playing a key role in Corvette Racing’s Le Mans class win and title in the C8.R alongside Ben Keating and Nicky Catsburg. fulfilled.
“I am extremely honored to have been selected by the WEC to take part in the rookie test in Bahrain,” he said. “This has been a great year for Corvette Racing. I couldn’t imagine a better year in this championship.
“We were able to win the title early on and win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was our biggest goal heading into this season. It’s great to have the opportunity to drive in LMP2, this is so great for me.
“Obviously I drive a GT, but my goal is a hypercar, so this is another step in my career towards hypercars. It would be cool to drive an LMP2 and I think it would be fun. I would like to thank WEC and everyone for giving me this opportunity.”
Finally, 19-year-old Frenchman Antoine Dokan will drive the GTE Am winning Corvette Racing C8.R. Dokin is currently competing in the European Le Mans Series LMP3 with Racing Spirit of Le Mans, and won the Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 title with CD Sport in 2022.
Notably, his drive will take place the day after the final competitive race for GTE cars, which will no longer participate in FIA WEC and ELMS from 2024 onwards.
“I would love to get behind the wheel of an FIA WEC car and do my first lap,” he said. “I would like to thank WEC and Corvette Racing for giving me this opportunity.
“Knowing that I will be driving a car that has won a championship in its category is a source of pride for me. After competing in and winning the Michelin Le Mans Cup and the European Le Mans Series Championship, this is the natural next step in my endurance journey.
“I can’t wait to get there and discover the car, the team, the track and this unique environment.”
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien said: “There is no shortage of talented drivers in the FIA WEC and the fact that Josh, Nicolas and Antoine have been selected is a testament to the level of drivers we have in both the WEC and ELMS. This is proof that the number of people living in Japan is high.”
“We always strive to develop young talent in endurance racing and have seen in the past how beneficial our rookie tests can be to the future careers of our drivers. All three of these I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs when I get behind the wheel.”
The full entry list for the official rookie test to be held on Sunday, November 5th will be announced soon.