Menezes Replaces Laurent in APR Rebellion Entry

Photo: Michael L. Levitt/IMSA

Gustavo Menezes has replaced Thomas Laurent in the APR Rebellion Racing European Le Mans Series entry with the Frenchman set to focus on his LMP1 program instead.

The American, who won the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 title, will join Harrison Newey and Ryan Cullen in Rebellion’s Oreca 07 Gibson for the ELMS season.

The car will be run by Portuguese outfit Algarve Pro Racing.

While Laurent was initially announced alongside Newey and Cullen, he will instead focus on Rebellion’s LMP1 entry with a pair of new Rebellion R13 Gibsons. 

“Gustavo is an excellent driver, he proved it for several years now,” Calim Bouhadra, Vice President of Rebellion Group, commented. “We are delighted to be able to join him to the ELMS program.

“We have great ambitions for Thomas and we wanted to focus his involvement on the World Endurance Championship with a strong desire for success for his first season in the LMP1 category.

“We would have liked to have more Rebellion drivers to APR Rebellion Racing but despite all our efforts, the financial constraints prevented it.

“We are still looking forward to starting the FIA WEC Prologue and the ELMS test days in the coming days!”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.