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Kubica to Test Manor Ginetta LMP1

Robert Kubica set to test Manor Ginetta LMP1 car this week ahead of possible 2018/19 season drive…

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Robert Kubica could be the latest Formula 1 star to join the LMP1 ranks, with the Pole set to test with Manor this week at Motorland Aragon, as part of a week-long test involving multiple FIA World Endurance Championship teams.

The Williams F1 reserve driver is slated to turn laps in CEFC TRSM Racing’s Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Mecachrome, in what will mark his first experience in the British-built prototype.

It’s understood the test has been scheduled with an eye towards a full-season drive in one of the team’s entries for the 2018/19 season.

So far, Oliver Rowland and former European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Charlie Robertson are the only confirmed drivers for Manor’s two-car effort, which was confirmed earlier this month.

Kubica had signed with ByKolles for the WEC season last year although backed out of the deal at the last moment, despite testing its ENSO CLM P1/01 NISMO.

Should a deal materialize, it would mark his full-time sports car racing debut, following one-off appearances in Creventic 24H Series events. 

Pre-Season Testing Heats Up

ByKolles, coincidently, is also testing at Motorland Aragon this week, along with SMP Racing’s new BR Engineering BR1 AER, Racing Team Nederland and Aston Martin Racing.

According to a trackside source, the Ginetta completed less than 15 laps on Tuesday morning, with an unofficial best time that was four seconds slower than the pace-setting BR1, which clocked a 1:17.580 lap.

Racing Team Nederland’s Dallara P217 Gibson, meanwhile, was within one-tenth of the Ginetta’s best lap time.

Ling Kang and Gustav Malja have joined the recently confirmed Oliver Webb behind the wheel of the updated ByKolles entry, which completed more than 75 laps on Tuesday morning.

Tom Dilmann handled driving duties of the CLM NISMO on Monday.

Toyota Gazoo Racing, meanwhile, has continued its pre-season testing program at Portimao this week, which has seen Fernando Alonso gain additional seat time in the Japanese manufacturer’s updated Toyota TS050 Hybrid.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

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

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