First woman Hypercar driver set for WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The first woman to drive a Hypercar in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will be taking part in the official WEC Rookie Test following the season-ending Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) this November. Lilou Wadoux from France has been nominated by the WEC as one of the four selected young participants in the one-day session, taking place November 13. Another French woman driver, Doriane Pin, has also been named. She will be behind the wheel of an LMP2 car. The two other rookies are Lorenzo Colombo from Italy in the LMGTE Pro class and Finn Gehrsitz from Germany in the LMGTE AM.

All four youngsters will get at least 30 laps behind the wheel of the championship winning car for their allocated category in the test, which takes place the day after the Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain. They have been selected by the FIA WEC organisation based on their performances, race skills and commitment. Wadoux, 21, will not only become the first woman to drive a Hypercar, but she will also be the first woman to drive a car in the premier endurance racing category since Vanina Ickx in 2011.

This season, Wadoux has driven in the WEC for Richard Mille Racing in LMP2. At the test, she will drive either the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010-Hybrid or Alpine Elf Team A480-Gibson, with both manufacturers capable of taking the title heading to Bahrain.

Pin, 18, will drive the LMP2-winning Oreca 07-Gibson car. The test will be Pin’s first time behind the wheel of an LMP2 challenger. Colombo, 21, will drive the LMGTE Pro winning car, which will either be an AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO or Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR-19. Gehrsitz, 17, will drive the LMGTE Am winning car, which will be Aston Martin Vantage AMR. The full entry list for the official Rookie Test will be released soon. “I am very happy to have been selected,” said Wadoux.

“Just a year ago, I took part in the Bahrain Rookie Test in LMP2 with Richard Mille, while I was racing in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup. “It was a big step in my career because I suddenly found myself driving a prototype. I learned a lot and now I have a new opportunity with a new test, but this time at the steering wheel of a Hypercar. It’s a dream come true and I’m delighted. “On a personal level, I am proud to show that women can reach the highest level of motorsport. I hope that my example will inspire young girls to follow this path.”