Wolf Still Pushing Ahead with LMP2 Car for 2016

Photo: Alexis Goure

Despite the current uncertainty over the future LMP2 regulations, Wolf Racing Cars is still pushing ahead with plans to debut its all-new GB08 Tornado next year. (En Français)

Speaking to Endurance-Info during last week’s European Le Mans Series pre-season test at Paul Ricard, team principal Ivan Bellarosa confirmed plans to build and run the closed-top car for the next two years.

“We are hearing a lot about the future regulations in LMP2,” Bellarosa said. “We don’t really know what it will [provide], but we do not intend to put the Wolf GB08 Tornado project aside.

“Everything is in working order to see the car in 2016. On paper, we have already sold cars. However, the rumors for 2017 are not favorable.”

Bellarosa said the Italian-built prototype will be 1900 mm wide and meet all of the current LMP1 standards, two of the current provisions set to be carried over into the new-for-2017 LMP2 regulations.

He expects to have it on track before the end of this year, with a back-up plan already in place should the small constructor not be allowed to compete in LMP2 beyond 2017 once the expected one-year grandfathering period expires.

“The idea is to run the GB08 Tornado for the next two years before moving in LMP1 if we cannot continue in the small category,” Bellarosa said.

Plans to rebadge Ibanez Racing’s Oreca 03Rs into Wolf GB08s for the ELMS season have fallen through, although Wolf stickers will still adorn the cars, one of them to be co-driven by Bellarosa.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John