Deletraz to Sub for Van der Zande at Portimao, Fuji

Louis Deletraz will replace the IMSA-tied Renger van der Zande at Inter Europol Competition for the 8 Hours of Portimao in June and the 6 Hours of Fuji in September.

Deletraz, who drives for Team WRT in the European Le Mans Series, will join the Polish squad for his first appearances in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMP2 division having previously represented Rebellion Racing at Le Mans in LMP1 last year.

The Swiss driver, who was in the Total 6 Hours Spa paddock this weekend, is set to partner Jakub Smiechowski and Alex Brundle in the No. 34 Inter Europol Oreca 07 Gibson.

He recently made his LMP2 debut in the ELMS 4 Hours of Barcelona, which he won alongside his WRT teammates Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye.

Van der Zande is unable to race at Portimao and Fuji owing to clashes with the IMSA WeatherTech Championship rounds at Detroit Belle Isle and Long Beach.

The Dutchman drives the Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R in North America.

“I am very happy to join Inter Europol Competition in the WEC at Portimao and Fuji as Renger is busy with his IMSA commitments,” said Deletraz.

“I can already see the team is very motivated and pushing for good results. I’m looking forward to working with Alex and Kuba.”

Earlier this week, Inter Europol team principal Sascha Fassbender ruled out the possibility of Indianapolis 500 winner and reigning IMSA DPi champion Helio Castroneves joining the No. 34 crew at Portimao, in place of van der Zande.

Castroneves was due to sub for van der Zande at the 1000 Miles of Sebring, before the race at the Florida circuit in March was canceled.

“I am very happy to welcome Louis, a very talented young driver, to our team,” said Fassbender. “He certainly will be a worthy replacement for Renger in Portimao and Fuji.”