Mazda Team Joest Begins Testing Program

Photo: Jim Bowie/Mazda

Mazda Team Joest has begun its European-based testing program, with a successful shakedown Tuesday at Hockenheim.

Jonathan Bomarito and Tristan Nunez handled driving duties of a bare carbon Mazda RT24-P, essentially running in 2017 configuration, at the German circuit, to provide baseline data for the team and manufacturer ahead of debuting a modified version of the DPi car.

It marked the first on-track test involving the ex-Audi LMP1 squad and Mazda, in a partnership announced in July.

Team boss Reinhold Joest was among those in attendance, along with a contingent of Mazda and Joest staff for the historic first on-track test.

While having started in wet conditions, the day-long shakedown on Hockenheim’s short corse is understood to have been trouble-free, with the car completing considerable mileage.

Initial testing with a modified version of the Mazda DPi is expected to begin in the coming weeks, before transitioning to a U.S.-based testing program in November, once Joest settles into its new Atlanta-based workshop.

Photo: Mazda

Photo: Mazda

Photo: Jim Bowie/Mazda

Photo: Mazda

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