Abril Set for Le Mans Debut in Proton Porsche

Photo: Vincent Abril Facebook

Vincent Abril is set for his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut, having been confirmed in an all-Monegasque crewed Porsche 911 RSR fielded by Proton Competition.

The former Bentley factory driver will team up with father-and-son Philippe and Louis Prette in the No. 78 Porsche 911 RSR, which was initially set to be run in association with HubAuto Corsa.

Business commitments for Morris Chen, who was listed as the car’s nominated driver, however, has resulted in the change in the driver lineup.

Abril, who currently competes with AKKA-ASP in the Blancpain GT Series, will make his first start in GTE machinery alongside Ferrari Challenge driver Louis Prette.

Prette most recently contested the Asian Le Mans Series in a KCMG-entered Ligier JS P3 Nissan, with his father also having been active racing in Asia in recent years.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be participating in this mythical race with such an experienced outfit like Proton Competition and Porsche,” Abril wrote on his Facebook page.

“I can’t thank enough APM Monaco for this fantastic opportunity, to be driving with my longtime friend Louis Prette and his father will make this event even more special!

“We will give our best in GTE-Am to score a good result and finish this monster of an event together.”

The driver lineup for Proton’s second Le Mans-only GTE-Am entry, meanwhile, has yet to be announced.

Sportscar365 understands that it was due to again feature Tim Pappas, who has been sidelined due after an accident at Bathurst.

Porsche factory driver Patrick Long is the nominated driver for the No. 99 entry.

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