G-Drive Signs Allen, Peroni for LMP2 Pro-Am Title Defense

G-Drive Racing has signed ex-Panis Racing driver James Allen and FIA Formula 3 podium finisher Alex Peroni to its LMP2 Pro-Am squad for the European Le Mans Series.

Allen and Peroni will team up with Bronze-rated driver John Falb, who is seeking to defend his Pro-Am title from last year with the Algarve Pro-supported G-Drive team.

Allen is set for a return to G-Drive after previously representing the Russian-backed organization in the 2018 ELMS season when the program was assisted by Graff.

The Australian driver then switched to DragonSpeed for 2019 before returning to Graff the following year. He spent last season with Panis Racing in a campaign that included winning the 4 Hours of Monza alongside Will Stevens and Julien Canal.

Allen’s compatriot Peroni will make his sports car racing debut this year off the back of seasons near the top of the junior open-wheel ladder.

After two years with Campos Racing in FIA Formula 3, Peroni switched to Carlin for a spell in Indy Lights.

The 22-year-old recently took part in the FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test where he got behind the wheel of an Iron Lynx Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.

“I’m very pleased to be racing with an organization that I know will be capable of competing at the front, and I thank everyone at G-Drive Racing by APR for giving me this opportunity,” said Peroni.

“I know I have a lot to learn in endurance racing but I’m confident it’s the right environment to give it my best.”

Allen added: “I’m super excited to be joining G-Drive Racing by APR for the 2022 European Le Mans Series season in LMP2 Pro-Am.

“John Falb and I have a great relationship already and, in my opinion, he is easily one of the best Bronze drivers in the field. I’m also grateful to have another Australian driver in LMP2 and it’s even better that I get to share a car with him.

“Alex Peroni and I have raced against each other previously in single-seaters and I’m very confident in his abilities. With this driver lineup, as well as the G-Drive Racing team behind us, I’m looking forward to what we can achieve in 2022.”

G-Drive Racing’s confirmation of an ELMS entry comes after the team announced plans for its WEC return in the LMP2 class and an IMSA cameo in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“For 2022 we will once again partner with APR and I am happy that we again have a strong car in the LMP2 Pro-Am class,” commented G-Drive team boss Roman Rusinov.

“On top of that we have, in John, Alex and James, the right drivers to defend our crown.

“2022 will be our tenth season in endurance racing and we are looking forward to this year as we hunt for more titles for G-Drive Racing.”

Returning driver Falb earned the first-ever European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-Am title last year alongside Rui Andrade, while the pair were joined by Pietro Fittipaldi, Roberto Merhi and Gustavo Menezes over the course of the six-round season.

“Naturally, I’m really looking forward to returning to the European Le Mans Series to defend the LMP2 Pro-Am championship title we earned in 2021,” said the American.

“I’m super excited about getting started with my new teammates, Alex and James.

“I’ll get to race with James in the Rolex 24 at Daytona later this month after knowing him for years from the racing paddock and I know Alex comes off an excellent single-seater career and will be an awesome addition to G-Drive Racing by APR.”