Pipo Derani will race in the 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa after being chosen by the Garage 59 team to race a McLaren 650S GT3 at the famed event later this month.

The Brazilian, who has caused a significant stir in endurance racing this season by winning both the Daytona and Sebring endurance classics, will partner Bruno Senna and Duncan Tappy in the No.60 McLaren supercar.

“This is a very good opportunity for me to work with another top manufacturer and proven team at one of the best endurance races on the planet,” said Derani. “I know Bruno (Senna) a little and have heard great things about Duncan (Tappy) so I think that we will form a very strong partnership very quickly.”

For Derani, the GT3 environment is new, but the 22 year-old has already shown himself to be a quick learner, achieving much success after just less than two years in endurance racing as a whole.

Derani was grateful for his chance to make his debut in the Total 24 Hours of Spa and has already integrated well in to the Garage 59 team which is run by experienced GT3 racer and team chief, Bas Leinders.

“I would like to thank Garage 59 for inviting me to race the car here at Spa,” continued Derani. “I will apply myself in the usual way, learning and soaking up everything that happens in preparation for the big race in a few weeks.

Derani got his first taste of the McLaren 650S at the official 24 Hours of Spa test day which took place today, and he was immediately enthused by the experience.

“The test went well and I felt comfortable in the car very quickly. It is a beautiful car and the engineering is incredible, as you would expect from such an accomplished technology business like McLaren.”

Pipo will return to FIA WEC action in just over two week’s time at the Nürburgring before he makes the short trip across to Spa for the big race on 30-31st July.