DragonSpeed Drops LMP1 Program, Reduces LMP2 Outings

Photo: MPS Agency

DragonSpeed has revealed that its LMP1 program will come to an end after next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, while reducing its LMP2 project for next year.

The team will instead focus on expanding its NTT IndyCar Series program for 2020, while running its Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2 car in a number of events.

It has had a difficult 2018-19 season in the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and withdrew its BR Engineering BR1 Gibson from the Six Hours of Spa earlier this month.

A statement released by the team said its sports car racing plans after Le Mans include a number of LMP2 outings with its Oreca, including next season’s WEC races at Sao Paolo, Spa and Le Mans.

It also plans to run in the European Le Mans Series and possibly the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“The Le Mans 24 Hours next month will be our final LMP1 and regular WEC outing, allowing us to ramp up our IndyCar efforts on both the technical and marketing fronts,” said team principal Elton Julian.

“We’re not leaving the WEC completely, as we plan to enter our number 21 LMP2 Oreca 07-Gibson in individual rounds, including Spa, Brazil, and Le Mans, with Le Mans of course subject to us earning or being granted an invitation.

“We’re also considering running Daytona and Sebring with IMSA again.”

“We’ll definitely be continuing in the ELMS, which we think offers the best sportscar racing on the planet and remains the ideal series for the top gentleman drivers.

“With the kind of competition you get from 19 regular LMP2 entries, we take pride in the fact that the last two ELMS victories with a Bronze driver, in 2016 and 2019, have been ours.”

Jake Kilshaw

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