DragonSpeed Expands to Two-Car LMP2 Effort for Rolex 24

Photo: MPS Agency

DragonSpeed has committed to a second Oreca 07 Gibson entry for January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, with its FIA World Endurance Championship-entered LMP2 car joining the the previously announced effort.

Team principal Elton Julian confirmed to Sportscar365 that two of its WEC drivers, Pastor Maldonado and Roberto Gonzalez, have so far been confirmed in the second entry.

They join the previously named trio of Nico Lapierre, Ben Hanley and Henrik Hedman in the first car, which was announced in October.

It’s understood new-for-2019 Pro-Am driver rating rules for LMP2 has created a challenge in organizing the team’s crews, as either one Gold and Platinum or two Gold-rated drivers are permitted per lineup.

Under the new rules, up to five drivers are permitted per lineup in LMP2 and GTD, while there can only be a maximum of four-driver teams in DPi and GT Le Mans.

Julian said the team is still weighing a possible entry in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, alongside its dual-class WEC program, although the program will likely be dependent on a strong result in Daytona.

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