Derani Departs CLX to Focus on Genesis Development Duties

CLX Motorsport has announced that Pipo Derani will depart the team’s European Le Mans Series LMP2 lineup for the remainder of the season as the Brazilian shifts his focus to Genesis Magma Racing’s LMDh effort that is set to debut next year.

Derani had formed part of the driver crew for the No. 47 Oreca 07 Gibson for the opening three rounds, sharing driving duties with Manuel Espirito Santo and Enzo Fittipaldi.

They secured a podium finish during the 4 Hours of Le Castellet in May and finished fifth during the most recent round at Imola.

In a statement on social media issued on Wednesday, CLX confirmed that Derani would depart the team with immediate effect, citing the 31-year-old’s increased commitments with Genesis’ fledgling LMDh effort.

“We’d like to thank Pipo Derani for his dedication and performance during the first part of our ELMS season,” the team wrote.

“He will not be finishing the championship with us, as he shifts his full focus to his role as a factory driver for Genesis Magma Racing and their WEC program.”

Derani’s departure comes at a time when Genesis has started to rapidly ramp up the development of its GMR-001 LMDh car, which will make its competitive debut at the WEC season opener in Qatar next March.

The Korean manufacturer completed the first fire-up of its Oreca-chassised car earlier this month and is set to begin on-track testing later in August, with initial running to take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard.

CLX has not yet named Derani’s replacement aboard the No. 47 Oreca. The next ELMS round, the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, takes place on August 24.