IndyCar driver Takumo Sato will make his sportscar debut in OAK Racing’s new LMP1 contender at the Fuji World Endurance Championship round.
The Honda-contracted Japanese driver will drive the OAK-Pescarolo LMP1, powered by the Honda Performance Development V8 engine, with team regulars Bertrand Baguette and Dominik Kraihamer at Fuji on October 14 and then the WEC finale at China’s Shanghai circuit at the end of the month.
The new HPD-engined version of the 2012 OAK P1 was given a shakedown by Sato at Magny-Cours on Thursday.
Sato, who raced for Rahal Letterman Lanigan in the IndyCar Series in 2012, is due to undertake a full day of testing with the car on Friday.
“Working with OAK Racing is an opportunity that has really excited and motivated me,” said Sato, who raced for Jordan, BAR and Super Aguri in Formula 1 between 2002 and ’08.
“I’ve spent my entire career racing single-seaters and obviously the LMP1 feels different to those, but my initial impressions are very good and I am thrilled by this whole new experience.”
OAK team manager Sebastien Philippe said: “I am delighted that Taku will be joining us for the Asian races. We first met in 2000 when we were both Formula 3 drivers for Honda, so I have first-hand experience of just how quick and talented he is. I have no doubts that he can make a significant contribution to the team and our LMP1 programme.”
The French OAK team is returning to the LMP1 division after missing three WEC races. Its solo P1 entry formerly ran with the Engine Developments Judd V8.
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/sato-joins-oak-lmp1-line-up
No comments:
Post a Comment