Flying Scot Lewis Williamson is poised to make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut with Strakka Racing at the Nürburgring this month.
The 26-year-old Dundonian, currently lying second in the Renault R.S.01 championship with the Silverstone-based team, will partner WEC regulars Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis in his first-ever sportscar race.
The 2010 McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year award-winner has made a return to full-time racing after last running a 2013 campaign in GP3 and aims to tap into his single-seater experience of the legendary German circuit to maximum effect.
A FIA silver-graded driver, Williamson had a taste of Strakka’s LMP2 Gibson 015S at last year’s Bahrain rookie test before engine issues curtailed proceedings, and has also attended this year’s first three WEC rounds to learn team procedures inside out.
“This is an immense opportunity for me,” said Williamson.
“Strakka has given me a chance very few drivers get and I intend to make the very most of it.
“I’ve done well in the past at the Nürburgring, picking up a second in GP3 and the Gibson was the fastest car on last year’s test day so I reckon we should in the mix.
“The weather always plays its part at the Nürburgring and whilst it was hot last year, I know it could also be foggy and raining – you just don’t know.”
Team founder Nick Leventis said: “Through our race and coaching programmes, Strakka has always looked to support young drivers, nurturing talent and where possible providing chances.
“At Nürburgring we are underlining that commitment by giving Lewis a shot in a full WEC weekend.”
Team principal Dan Walmsley added: “We felt we could use this to put Lewis in a race weekend and gauge his performance against one of the most competitive LMP2 fields we have witnessed in sportscar racing in recent times.
“His pace in the R.S.01, his approach in the simulator and his efforts at the factory are worthy of an outing in WEC and we want to see how he performs.”
The Six Hours of Nürburgring takes place on July 24 with Strakka Racing currently sixth in the LMP2 category standings after finishing fourth out of 23 starters at last month’s legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.
