Deletraz Signs With WTR for Enduros; Hartley in for Daytona

Photo: MPS Agency

LMP2 standoutLouis Deletraz will join Wayne Taylor Racing for three of the long-distance IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races next year, alongside the returning full-season pairing of Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque.

Toyota Gazoo Racing factory driver Brendon Hartley, who made his debut with the Acura squad in last weekend’s Motul Petit Le Mans, will complete the four-driver lineup for January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The 25-year-old Swiss driver is fresh of helping take Tower Motorsport to the LMP2 title with Bronze-rated John Farano. Deletraz also drives full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series with Prema.

Sportscar365 understands that Deletraz’s role, who essentially replaces the since-departed Will Stevens, is in line for a full-season seat when WTR plans to expand into a two-car Acura ARX-06 operation in 2024.

“This lineup is fantastic,” said Delétraz. “I’m really excited to share the car with such talented drivers.

“Filipe and Ricky welcomed me to the WTR family straight away and already got me up to speed with everything that’s new ahead of 2023. We get along really well, and they want to win as much as I do. I love that mentality!

“It’s an honor for me to join WTR and Acura in the pinnacle class of sport cars. After successful years in LMP2 in IMSA and Europe it was my target to be here and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.

“Joining a team with so much history and success makes the expectations high. I can’t wait to get started.”

The team finished second in the DPi championship following a season-long battle with fellow Acura squad Meyer Shank Racing, which has yet to confirm its full lineup for next year.

Hartley, meanwhile, quickly came to grips with the Acura at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and had previously indicated the desire to contest additional WeatherTech Championship races alongside his WEC commitments.

“I have really enjoyed working with Filipe and Ricky,” said Hartley. “I know Louis from around the paddock and I know he’s fast but also a good guy.

“I think we have a strong lineup and a team that knows how to win Daytona.

“The Rolex is always competitive and it’s a race that I respect a lot. It’s not a race that has been kind to me over the years. It’s going to see all the GTP machinery line up on the grid for the first time and I fully expect that we will be fighting for a good result.

“The electrified Acura ARX-06 has been put through its paces in testing and I think we have all the ingredients to give ourselves a shot at the victory.”

Team owner Wayne Taylor added: “As far as Daytona’s concerned, I cannot imagine a better lineup than what we have.

“It’s going to be a hard race. One of those races where you have to make it to the checkered flag to win the race.

“We’ve won a few of these races—it’s what my team does best, and I just need to make sure that they have all the tools.

“I couldn’t be happier than having Brendon back and I’ve been watching Louis for a while. He’s got experience. He’s young, but he’s very, very mature and he understands what is needed to be that third driver.”

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