European Le Mans Series LMP3 champions Sir Chris Hoy and Charlie Robertson are partaking in their first LMP2 test this week at Estoril, with Hoy enjoying his first running in the Greaves Motorsport Gibson 015S Nissan on Monday.
Hoy, the former Gold Medal-winning Olympic cyclist, completed roughly 40 laps in his debut today, with Robertson due to drive on Tuesday.
“The Gibson-Nissan is an incredible car,” Hoy said. “I immediately felt comfortable and was excited to find that the car does exactly what you ask it to do and really encourages you to use the downforce it delivers.
“It was wet today but even though the track was slippery I had lots of grip. I would love to race that car at Le Mans – in fact I want to get back in it straight away.”
Greaves Motorsport team principal Jacob Greaves said Hoy acquitted himself well despite a schedule delay due to poor weather.
“I was impressed with Chris today,” Greaves said. “He arrived behind schedule but immediately focused on the job he had to do.
“His lap times were consistent despite the bad weather and he impressed our engineer with his driving. We ran him all the way through until darkness fell and it was good to see that the change in light didn’t faze him at all. He is driving extremely well.”
The planned test now is in preparation for an expected step up to a Nissan-powered race seat in LMP2 at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.