2025 IMSA (WEC) driver discussion

[Dawgs1]

Seems driver musical chairs has started with Yelloy out at BMW. Be interesting to see if anyone ends up without a chair (seat).

[broadrun96]

He left the team rather than being let go it seems, and was usually the most steady in the car.

Renger done with a Caddy but likely to be with MSR soon. Yelloly is also been linked to MSR.

Pipo is also free agent but haven't seen any destinations listed for him yet.

How many of WTR guys are gonna move over to the Caddy program, seems like most are team not Acura drivers so maybe no space there.

Caddy WEC will be interesting with who from IMSA might go to Jota. Bourdais to WEC wouldn't be surprising to give them some feedback. Bamber could be on the outside and Lynn I haven't seen mentioned much but they aren't done yet with the season.

[FIRE]

Acura Meyer Shank Racing has confirmed the full-season driver lineup for its return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year as a two-car factory Acura ARX-06 squad, with GTP stars Reneger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly joining the squad for the first time.

Colin Braun and Tom Blomqvist, meanwhile, rejoin the Ohio-based squad after last competing together in MSR Acura machinery in 2023.

Source: https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/v...mqvist-return/

[flatlandsman]

I think Yelloly might end up at Lambo, no source just a hunch, they will want seasoned guys instead of paying silly money to people like Grosjean and Kvyat.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I think Yelloly might end up at Lambo, no source just a hunch, they will want seasoned guys instead of paying silly money to people like Grosjean and Kvyat.

Read post #3.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Read post #3.

Oops.

Never mind Iron Lynx couldn't afford his services in the car either

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Source: https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/v...mqvist-return/

Derani aside, that's the strongest lineup MSR could have. It would also hint that WTR will retain their four drivers, which, Derani aside (again) is the best they can do.

[broadrun96]

Yeah, it felt like the WTR guys were team, then maybe Acura, guys. And Pipo now looks to be the last guy standing. Guessing BMW have enough to fill Yelloly's seat coming up and they may want GT running for that seat for the other factory events. Couldn't tell if he's out of Cadillac or AXR, possibly Jota as I mentioned in another thread to give them some baseline? But there are other WEC guys who could give that same info and know the tracks better

Or could Ganassi or Herta, or that wild rumor of PM grab him in the P2 car, want him for 26 debut with Genesis

[J Jay]

After acquring half of Audi's drivers, only Porsche have a wider roster than BMW. They'll be fine to find someone to fill Yelloly's seat.


I don't get the feeling that Derani wants to leave IMSA, so Genesis would be a good shout. He'd get everything out of the car and by all accounts he's a good team player.

[broadrun96]

As long as it's his team and not a WTR car anywhere near him

[Dawgs1]

Sportscar 365 says Felipe Albuquerque is now on the open driver market. Kind of surprising as thought all the WTR drivers were kind of like family.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Dawgs1

Sportscar 365 says Felipe Albuquerque is now on the open driver market. Kind of surprising as thought all the WTR drivers were kind of like family.

The article says he's leaving Acura, it doesn't mention anything about leaving WTR. I'd be surprised if he isn't in a Cadillac next season.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by J Jay

The article says he's leaving Acura, it doesn't mention anything about leaving WTR. I'd be surprised if he isn't in a Cadillac next season.

Yeah, wonder if he was contracted to Acura and placed with WTR and now just a WTR driver

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Yeah, wonder if he was contracted to Acura and placed with WTR and now just a WTR driver

He's been with WTR longer than Acura, so it makes sense that he was under a rolling/short-term contract while WTR were running Acuras.


He - and the team - had more success the last time they were with GM anyway. Once MSR got up to speed with Acura, WTR were regularly bested for pace.