Mueller Replaces COVID-Positive Jaminet at RWR Eurasia

Sven Mueller has been drafted into RWR Eurasia’s LMP2 driver lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona after Mathieu Jaminet tested positive for COVID-19.

The former Porsche factory driver will share the No. 51 Ligier JS P217 Gibson with Cody Ware, Salih Yoluc and NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon.

Jaminet, himself a Porsche works team member, returned a positive PCR test prior to last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 and did not take part in IMSA’s pre-season event, despite being shown as having registered laps on the timing results data.

The Frenchman won the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai the weekend prior to the Roar and was due to make his LMP2 debut in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener.

Jaminet’s withdrawal marks the second instance of a Dubai competitor being unable to race at Daytona. Black Swan Racing pulled out of the Rolex 24 last week after team owner Tim Pappas and his co-driver Larry ten Voorde tested positive for COVID-19.

RWR Eurasia issued a statement on Tuesday that confirmed its driver change and declared that Jaminet is asymptomatic and “feeling in good health”.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed not to be racing in Daytona, but I am in good health and if anybody should get the chance in my absence, my good friend and teammate Sven would be my number one choice,” said Jaminet.

“I will be watching and I’m sure that RWR Eurasia will have a good race.”

Jaminet’s replacement Mueller is also new to LMP2, despite having prior Daytona experience in the GT ranks.

The German driver finished third in last year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup standings driving for Porsche squad Dinamic Motorsport and also represented Black Swan Racing in the previous edition of the Rolex 24.

RWR Eurasia is set to start this weekend’s Daytona race from eighth on the LMP2 grid.