Vector Signs Pilet to Le Mans Lineup

Porsche factory driver Patrick Pilet will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of Vector Sport’s LMP2 lineup, the team has confirmed.

The Frenchman, set for a 16th consecutive appearance at the French endurance classic, will drive the No. 10 Oreca 07 Gibson at the event.

Pilet will team up with European Le Mans Series regulars Ryan Cullen and Stephane Richelmi for the event.

A recent version of the entry list for the event still had Gabriel Aubry listed, although the Frenchman parted ways with Vector when it announced Felipe Drugovich for its ELMS effort instead.

Drugovich has been linked to the third seat for the Action Express Racing Hypercar effort at Le Mans, with a co-driver for Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken yet to be confirmed.

The 2022 FIA Formula 2 champion recently tested the Cadillac V-Series.R at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“ I am really looking forward to working the team at Vector Sport,” Pilet said.

“We have known each other a little while and I am very happy we have the opportunity to work together after trying to do so for some time now.

“Le Mans is definitely my favourite race and I am massively motivated to compete for the win in the super competitive LMP2 Pro class.

“It’s an amazing car to drive at Le Mans and I can’t wait to get started at the 101st year of the Le Mans 24 Hours.”

Although Pilet drove the majority of his Le Mans starts with the factory Porsche GTE-Pro effort, taking a pair of class podiums, his last four appearances have come in the LMP2 class.

He joined IDEC Sport for three consecutive races from 2020 to 2022 and then competed with Graff Racing last year.

“We are very pleased to welcome Patrick, he is a proven winner and he is a great addition to the team,” said team principal Gary Holland.

“His previous experience within both LMP2 and GT will be extremely valuable as we aim for the top step in La Sarthe.

“I would also like to thank Porsche Motorsport for allowing Patrick to race at Le Mans with us.”

De Angelis to Make Le Mans Debut With Algarve Pro

Rival LMP2 squad Algarve Pro Racing confirmed on Monday that Roman De Angelis will make his Le Mans debut as part of the team’s LMP2 lineup.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship regular will join the crew for the No. 25 Oreca 07 Gibson alongside Olli Caldwell and Matthias Kaiser.

De Angelis replaces Alex Lynn, who is unable to join the Portuguese squad at Le Mans due to clashing commitments with the Cadillac Hypercar squad.

“I grew up as an endurance racing fan,” De Angelis said.

“I would always choose to watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans over Formula 1 races and my ambition was to compete in all the big endurance events.

“I’ve been fortunate to hit a lot of my targets, among other things winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona and an IMSA title.”

“To enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the greatest race of them all – in LMP2 when the class is at an all-time high is an honour.

I’ll be sure to enjoy the whole experience, while focusing on keeping it clean and being competitive on the track.

“Of course we’re all going there to win. However, Le Mans often decides where you end up.”