Magnussen Poised for Le Mans LMP2 Debut with High Class

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Jan Magnussen is poised to make his LMP2 debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, having been confirmed as part of High Class Racing’s lineup should its second Oreca 07 Gibson receive an invite to the race.

The Danish squad said the former Corvette factory driver, who tested in the team’s FIA World Endurance Championship entry in Bahrain last year, would be “ready to drive” in its full-season European Le Mans Series car that has submitted to the ACO selection committee for entry consideration.

It would mark Magnussen’s 22nd Le Mans start should the entry be confirmed.

“I really had a great time with High Class Racing at Bahrain last year and I will enjoy racing with the team at Le Mans if its No. 20 Oreca receives an invitation from the selection committee,” said Magnussen. “Going into the prototype class could be fun.”

Magnussen’s co-drivers for the proposed second Le Mans car have yet to be announced but it will not include Anders Fjordbach, who is the nominated driver for High Class’ ELMS car but already forms part of the lineup in the team’s full-season WEC entry.

The veteran Dane, who enjoyed prototype success with Panoz and Audi prior to his move to GT racing, has given high praise to the recent IMSA-ACO convergence that will see the formation of the LMDh platform in 2021/22, with Magnussen indicating the WEC’s top class is “going in the right direction.”

“I think the newly-announced LMDh rules are very exciting and could attract more manufacturers to the top class at Le Mans, so I look forward to seeing what the future will bring,” he said.

“I see doing Le Mans with High Class Racing this year as a great opportunity to start a relationship that would eventually see me join the FIA WEC in LMDh class in the future.”

Magnussen, meanwhile, is set for a return to Corvette Racing for a two-race WEC program alongside Mike Rockenfeller in the upcoming Lone Star Le Mans and 1000 Miles of Sebring races.

It’s unclear if the cameo appearance could include additional outings with the Pratt & Miller-run squad in the future. 

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