[WEC] The 2023 and beyond DRIVER ANNOUNCEMENTS MEGA THREAD

[S griffin]

Yes I'm sure Pierson will probably keep his seat until he's ready. As for Sato, I think he's ready to move up to gold

[veeten]

And now, with Aston Martin joining the Hypercar fray, let's start that driver lineup going. They said it themselves, that neither Stroll or Alonso will be involved in this.

Since this is the same team but in different championships (WEC, IMSA), which drivers would fit in each car?

Time for prognostication, and some CV's...

[chunterer]

I think this might suit Vettel down to the ground!

I could imagine him, Ross Gunn, Charlie Eastwood and a couple of experienced endurance guys or gals being selected?

However Gunn may be expected to continue with the GT3 programme now that Aston have confirmed the new car.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I think this might suit Vettel down to the ground!

I could imagine him, Ross Gunn, Charlie Eastwood and a couple of experienced endurance guys or gals being selected?

However Gunn may be expected to continue with the GT3 programme now that Aston have confirmed the new car.

Do we know who the development driver(s) was/were on the road going Valkyrie over the past few years? If it was an Aston GT driver I would think they have a good shot.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

Do we know who the development driver(s) was/were on the road going Valkyrie over the past few years? If it was an Aston GT driver I would think they have a good shot.

Darren Turner for sure but I think he's slipped into a sort of semi retirement now on the racing side. Didn't stop him winning a Rolex recently, but still.

I do think the timeline would fit perfectly with Lance Stroll being turfed out of the F1 team. But I can understand why he wouldn't be linked right now.

Hard to say really who will be in the running at this stage. Calendar clashes will also dictate how many drivers they'd need to contract.

[Mike E]

'Drivers are yet to be confirmed, although James established that talent from the current Heart of Racing roster would be called up to form the lineups.'

Roman de Angelis? He was in AMR Driver Academy. Dude's second name is Senna! No pressure....

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...ver-selection/

[Aysedasi]

I'm not sure that it's safe to assume that any previous Aston drivers would be involved...

[veeten]

Well, Fillipe Massa wants to join in on the action...

https://www.sportscar365.com/imsa/ws...ve-with-riley/

[RL17]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I do think the timeline would fit perfectly with Lance Stroll being turfed out of the F1 team. But I can understand why he wouldn't be linked right now.

IMO - to keep the launch news all positive

But if they did link him now it would let loads of speculation out of the bag about how long he's got and why not replace him now.

The AMPT set up probably needs Stroll in an F1 car until Valkrie Hypercar and IMSA fully up and running for 6 months or so. If you could stretch to a second LM car then maybe a slot if no clash with F1 or no Vettel.

IMSA launch at Daytona probably/especially needs an IMSA experienced driver set up.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by veeten

Well, Fillipe Massa wants to join in on the action...

https://www.sportscar365.com/imsa/ws...ve-with-riley/

If he doesn't win is he just going to claim victory a decade later?

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

If he doesn't win is he just going to claim victory a decade later?

[Mike E]

A few driver updates

Mick Schumacher talking to Alpine
Ryan Briscoe at Vanwall and Liam Talbot at D'Station for Bahrain

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...7-10-2023.html

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Mike E

A few driver updates

Mick Schumacher talking to Alpine
Ryan Briscoe at Vanwall and Liam Talbot at D'Station for Bahrain

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...7-10-2023.html

Not sure why anybody with a decent reputation would wanna get involved with Kolles?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Not sure why anybody with a decent reputation would wanna get involved with Kolles?

Racers want to race?

[Hawkwood]

And he's not exactly busy doing other racing is he?

[TF110]

At least he's going to race. His former employer is taking his toys and going home.

[Matador]

I'm not sure where to post this as it isn't a formal announcement, but here goes anyway


https://www.autosport.com/supergt/ne...seat/10533692/


Guess it's unofficial confirmation of Lexus being in the door for LMGT3 as well?

[tomcug]

Mick was testing the Alpine (officialy now).
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...-laps-in-a424/

[broadrun96]

So driver appeals have been heard

Galeal back to Silver, Al Harthy and Bovy back to Bronze

Quinn and Sato up to Gold so UA is screwed in IMSA, Snow to Gold making the GTD Pro move required

Andrade, Huffaker and Pierson remain Gold after their appeals

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...to-silver.html

[J Jay]

Galael/WRT have done well to keep him silver, I'd have had him as gold if Andrade is also gold.

If Quinn can retain his silver rating, he'll probably be in every UA LMP2 next season, given they have run out of silver drivers otherwise!

[broadrun96]

His appeal was denied so he's out, Gold with Pierson so UA gonna be making calls and calls all day

[rika]

Not happy that Bovy is back to Bronze.
She is no bronze and everybody knows that.


I like the girls to win but now they given an unfair advantage and that I do not like.


If girls want to play with the boys they have to follow same rules!
And not let the girls win because they are girls.




If I compete with the boys I do not win but I am proud when I beat one or two and am not last but I do not get advantage.




So this makes me sad really and not happy.

[veeten]

Sounds less like you are critical, and more like being a bit... jealous. That they are making strides that you can only dream of. This is not a good place to be, as it will cause you to be embittered.

The Iron Dames are one of my favorite teams, for their determination and race savvy that they show both on and off the track. It's why they're always at the front in GT.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by veeten

Sounds less like you are critical, and more like being a bit... jealous. That they are making strides that you can only dream of. This is not a good place to be, as it will cause you to be embittered.

The Iron Dames are one of my favorite teams, for their determination and race savvy that they show both on and off the track. It's why they're always at the front in GT.

That's a bit harsh. In the same vein, if someone said you were infatuated with Iron Dames and used that to dismiss your opinion on Bovy's driver rating it would just as big a fallacy as the bolded above. There are better arguments to make without resorting to ad hominem.

Personally, I don't think Bovy remaining bronze is the most egregious error in the driver ratings (that honour goes to Galael), but behind Keating, she is probably the best bronze there is in GT. Iron Lynx/Dames have played the game well to have her silver rating rescinded.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by veeten

Sounds less like you are critical, and more like being a bit... jealous. That they are making strides that you can only dream of. This is not a good place to be, as it will cause you to be embittered.

The Iron Dames are one of my favorite teams, for their determination and race savvy that they show both on and off the track. It's why they're always at the front in GT.

Rika is maybe jealous but you sound like a fanboy who doesn't accept criticism on 'his' girls.