AF Corse Preparing Dual LMP2 Program for 2022

Photo: MPS Agency

AF Corse is poised to enter the LMP2 ranks of the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series next year with a program for Bronze-rated driver Francois Perrodo.

The Italian squad, which will run Ferrari’s Le Mans Hypercar program in 2023, is preparing to return to the prototype ranks for the first time since the 2019-20 WEC season when it operated Cetilar Racing’s Dallara P217 Gibson.

Endurance-Info reports that Perrodo, who currently drives a GTE-Am class Ferrari 488 GTE Evo alongside Nicklas Nielsen and Alessio Rovera, is expected to return to LMP2 competition after leaving the category following the 2018-19 ‘Super Season’ when he was in a TDS Racing Oreca 07 Gibson.

His co-drivers for AF Corse’s proposed dual WEC/ELMS program with an Oreca have not been determined but could serve as a test bed for the Italian squad’s factory Ferrari LMH program the following year.

Sportscar365 understands that Team Penske is slated to enter selected WEC races, also in the LMP2 class, to prepare for its LMDh program with Porsche in 2023.

Other current LMP2 operations, including newly crowned ELMS champions Team WRT, are also present in the class ahead of possible LMDh ventures.

Perrodo’s commitment is expected to be in LMP2 Pro-Am, which is reserved for lineups featuring at least one Bronze-rated driver. There is, however, no limitation on the driver grading of his co-drivers meaning he could be joined by factory Ferrari pilots.

Prior to its involvement with Cetilar’s LMP2 program, the Amato Ferrari-led operation worked with SMP Racing in the prototype ranks. 

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John