Van der Garde, Pilet Join Graff for Le Mans

Giedo van der Garde and Patrick Pilet have been named as part of Graff’s LMP2 Pro-Am driver lineup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The French squad on Monday announced that the Platinum-rated pair will team up with Bronze competitor Francois Heriau in the No. 39 Oreca 07 Gibson for the June event.

Despite stepping back from full-time LMP2 competition this year, Graff earned its place on the Le Mans grid by winning the Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 title in February.

Heriau was part of that championship achievement, and he will tackle Le Mans alongside his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship co-driver van der Garde.

The Dutch LMP2 ace is returning to the French 24-hour classic after missing last year’s edition, having driven for Racing Team Nederland on four previous occasions.

Pilet, meanwhile, will make his 15th Le Mans appearance and his third in the prototype ranks.

The former Porsche factory driver represented IDEC Sport for the last three years but is now returning to the team with which he won the Porsche Carrera Cup title in 2007.

“Thanks to our invitation won in the Asian Le Mans Series with our title in the LMP3 category, we are very happy to take part in the Centenary of the 24 Hours,” said team principal Pascal Rauturier.

“For this exceptional event, we were keen to build a crew to play the leading roles in the LMP2 Pro-Am category.

“Francois is in a very good dynamic and is one of the best Bronze currently active in the LMP2 category. The experience, speed and human qualities of Giedo and Patrick will be a major asset in this extraordinary adventure.”