Deletraz Fulfilling “Big Step” With WTR Signing

Louis Deletraz says his deal to join Wayne Taylor Racing for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup rounds in 2023 is the fulfilling of a personal ambition to become aligned with a factory effort in sports car racing.

Deletraz was confirmed earlier this month as the third driver for the No. 10 Acura ARX-06 for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans partnering with Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque.

The Swiss driver joins WTR off the back of a successful second year in LMP2 competition, having so far racked up the European Le Mans Series title with Team WRT in 2021 and closing in on a second consecutive crown with Prema.

Along with a LMP2 podium finish at Le Mans, Deletraz also took two class victories in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Tower Motorsport, including a Motul Petit Le Mans class win that helped co-driver John Farano win the LMP2 championship.

Deletraz says that his so far successful move to sports car racing was inspired by his father Jean-Denis, who enjoyed a long tenure of his own in endurance competition.

“Obviously it’s a big step,” Deletraz spoke about his move to WTR.

“After a lot of single seaters, in 2021 I joined the LMP2 field in endurance racing. I’ve always loved endurance because of my dad, who raced a lot in it.

“I never only thought about single seaters and F1, I always wanted to go to Le Mans, I always wanted to go to sports cars. That’s why I made the step in 2021.”

Deletraz went on to explain that he had ambitions to move further outside of racing in LMP2, as the secondary prototype class does not consist of factory squads.

“Obviously, LMP2 is not a factory effort, so to be able to join Wayne Taylor Racing and Acura is definitely a big step, the step I wanted to do,” he noted.

“Obviously with the new regulations, I think it is the place to be right now. My first year in IMSA was awesome, I enjoyed [them] a lot so to be able to do it even more next year in this car is amazing.

“For me, it’s very nice and I am super happy about it. Really excited.

“The program is really cool and with all new regulations there is a lot to learn and I’m in the right place for that with Wayne Taylor Racing and Acura.”

Since the 25-year-old has only signed on to contest the endurance races with WTR, that could potentially leave the door open for a parallel program in Europe.

Deletraz did not rule out a combined effort in European racing, labeling it as “possible.”

“Of course, if it is only endurance I would like to do some other racing, but it needs to be sorted first,” he said. “My main program will be IMSA and endurance racing.”

Hartley: Petit Experience “Hundred Percent” Helpful at Daytona

Along with Deletraz, Brendon Hartley was also announced as part the team’s 2023 plans, rejoining the No. 10 Acura crew at the Rolex 24.

Hartley, likely the only Toyota factory driver who will be racing in the GTP class next year, said that the experience he gained stepping into the team at Motul Petit Le Mans will be of major benefit when he returns in Florida.

“Hundred percent it’s helpful, just having worked with everyone now in the stress of a race weekend,” he said.  

“Testing is different from a race weekend. I definitely feel part of it already.

“No question that that’s going to be helpful from Petit Le Mans as well.”

Hartley and Deletraz, as well as Taylor and Albuquerque, all drove the Acura ARX-06 during the recent IMSA-sanctioned three-day test at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Despite his relatively short time behind the wheel of its predecessor, the three-time overall Le Mans winner could already tell some of the differences in the new car.

“Some similar characteristics,” Hartley said. “There’s a bit more power, so the closing speeds with GT traffic and LMP2 cars will maybe look even more impressive.

“So the power is nice, but let’s see. Rolling it off the truck, I know [Taylor and Albuquerque] have done a few tests, but the balance was really nice straight off the bat.

“So I think the main priority now going into Daytona is reliability and driveability and all those types of things.

“I think it was incredibly positive that every driver jumped in the car and was pretty happy with a balanced car straight out the box. I’m really positive for Daytona.”