The newly formed Racing Team Nederland ran its Dallara P217 at the circuit of Sebring (Florida) last week, in preparation for the coming Le Mans 24 Hours and European Le Mans Series that the Dutch team aims to contest.

All three Racing Team Nederland drivers were present during the 5-day test organised by the team’s tyre supplier Dunlop. Jan Lammers started on Monday and was joined by 11-time F1 Grand Prix winner Rubens Barrichello for two days from Tuesday onwards.

“It was a great first test for me,” said Rubens, who drove the LMP2 Dallara for the first time. “Together we were able to do a lot of valuable running. Of course, always some work needs to be done, but everything ran smoothly and I love the car.”

On Thursday Frits van Eerd took over from Barrichello. The founder of Racing Team Nederland ran together with Jan Lammers on the final two days. “This was the first time I drove the Dallara on a dry track. I was able to do a lot of running, learn much and make a lot of progress, so all in all this test was a good and important experience.”

Former Le Mans-winner Jan Lammers was satisfied as well. “We ran every day all day and learned a lot from each other. It is particularly pleasing that already now Frits, Rubens and I have all tested the car.”

“It was a valuable week,” Mark Koense concludes on behalf of Racing Team Nederland. “Dunlop were at Sebring to try out their new for 2017 tyres and they were happy with our feedback and that we did so much running. We now know precisely what to do these coming months and that is what one wants at this stage. When and where we will test next will be decided soon.”