Marciello to Make LMP2 Debut at Daytona With High Class

Mercedes-AMG factory ace and GT3 champion Raffaele Marciello will make his LMP2 debut as the fourth driver in High Class Racing’s lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

High Class is entering the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with a single Oreca 07 Gibson that will be driven by Dennis Andersen and Ed Jones at all seven races that include the LMP2 class.

Anders Fjordbach will join the full-season pairing for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds, including Daytona where Marciello is confirmed for a one-off appearance.

Marciello won this year’s TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa sharing an Akkodis ASP Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with the upcoming IMSA GTD Pro pairing of Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella.

That result fed into a GTWC Europe Endurance Cup title for the trio, while Marciello also scooped the combined GTWC Europe drivers’ crown by finishing second in Sprint Cup.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old won ADAC GT Masters driving for Mann-Filter Team Landgraf.

“I’m very happy and proud to have this first experience on an LMP2 car in Daytona,” said Marciello, who won the inaugural Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans in an LMP2 Oreca.

“Having raced there different times, also with podiums with the GTD, I saw [that] the LMP2 cars from [the] outside [are] very, very quick so I’ve been always curious to drive one of these cars one day, and now here we are.

“Thanks High Class Racing for this and to AMG for letting me catch the opportunity.

“Can’t wait to get behind the wheel of his beast to give my best as always and thus reward the trust placed in me.”

Former FIA World Endurance Championship entrant High Class Racing is set for its second full season in the WeatherTech Championship after joining last year with Andersen, Fjordbach and Fabio Scherer.

While Andersen and Fjordbach are continuing in 2023, former NTT IndyCar Series driver Jones is a new signing.

The 27-year-old Emirati driver made his WEC debut this year with JOTA and finished on the LMP2 podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 6 Hours of Fuji.

“Excited to be joining High Class Racing for the 2023 IMSA season,” Jones said.

“The team had a strong first year in IMSA and we are looking to build on that. We have a solid lineup and expect to be fighting for wins from the get-go at Daytona.”

Andersen added: “In our first full season in IMSA we showed great potential as a team with two podium finishes and a third place overall in the Michelin Endurance Cup.

“Now, one year wiser, I hope to fight again for even more ambitious goals together with my teammates, starting with my third participation in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.”