Minassian to Replace Hirakawa at Red Bull Ring, Paul Ricard

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Nicolas Minassian will fill in for Ryo Hirakawa in the next two European Le Mans Series races at Red Bull Ring and Paul Ricard, with the Japanese driver busy on Super GT duties.

The DragonSpeed Sporting Director will join Memo Rojas and Leo Roussel in the team’s championship-leading G-Drive Racing-backed Oreca 07 Gibson for the upcoming races.

Hirakawa misses the Austrian and French rounds of the championship with his Super GT commitments at SUGO and Suzuka clashing.

It will be 44-year-old Minassian’s return to prototype racing after taking on his new role from the pitwall.

“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel of a prototype and race in such a competitive series,” Minassian said. 

“I tested the car at Le Mans during the Test Day with the team, so I already have a feel for the new-for-2017 LMP2s.”

The G-Drive car won at Monza in May after coming second in the season-opener at Silverstone.

“I’m hoping to be able to assist Leo and Memo in scoring two good results and valuable points at Red Bull Ring and Paul Ricard,” he added.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.