René Rast has completed G-Drive Racing’s FIA WEC driver line-up for this season as the German ace today joins Roman Rusinov and Nathanaël Berthon in the team.
Rast, a factory Audi driver, has won both the Spa and Nürburgring 24 Hours races so far in his stellar endurance career. The 29 year-old also competed in the last two Le Mans 24 Hours finishing 4th in LMP2 on his La Sarthe debut in 2014, and 7th overall last year when he raced an Audi R18 e-tron quattro LMP1 car.
Considered to be one of the most highly rated stars of the future, Rast has been a factory Audi racing driver since 2012.
René, along with his new team mates, will get his first taste of the all-new G-Drive Racing ORECA 05-Nissan in Spain next week, before testing continues at the official Prologue test which is held over 25-26 March at Paul Ricard.
G-Drive Racing will enter two cars at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, with the ORECA 05-Nissan for Rusinov, Rast, Berthon and the Gibson 015S-Nissan for Simon Dolan, Giedo Van Der Garde and Jake Dennis.
The operational management of the G-Drive Racing team is being undertaken this season by JOTA Sport who won the LMP2 class of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014. For 2016 the JOTA Sport owned cars will be liveried in the G-Drive colours and promoted across Gazprom Neft’s 1,400 G-Drive premium fuel stations.
Quotes
René Rast – Driver, G-Drive Racing
“I am super happy to be joining G-Drive Racing in LMP2 this season. The ingredients, including the team, the proven chassis and engine, and my team mates gives me a lot of confidence entering the program this year.
“An LMP2 car was the first prototype I drove back in 2014 and I am very much enjoying re-acquainting myself with the category. This year looks like it will be a special one for the class, so I am personally very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. I would specifically like to thank Audi Sport and Pole Promotion for their support with this opportunity.”
Sam Hignett – Team Principal G-Drive Racing
“Anyone who has followed René’s career knows that he is an incredibly talented and professional racing driver. His CV is very impressive and stands up with the best in the endurance racing business. I am delighted to welcome René to the team. He completes what we believe is a very strong squad of drivers in the G-Drive ORECA 05-Nissan. We have a great balance of speed, experience and desire to be very competitive in this year’s championship”