Boguslavskiy Eyeing LMGT3 Switch in TF Sport Corvette

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup champion Timur Boguslavskiy is looking to switch to the FIA World Endurance Championship next year with TF Sport and Chevrolet.

The Russian driver is sampling a GTE-spec Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in today’s post-season rookie test at Bahrain International Circuit, but has ambitions to race GM’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R which is gearing up for its 2024 debut with customer teams.

Boguslavskiy, who won the Endurance Cup title in an Akkodis ASP Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, told Sportscar365 that he has encountered multiple options for 2024.

“[ASP] did a shootout with Mercedes immediately after the [final GTWC] race on the Monday,” he said.

“There was also the opportunity to go with them, but the issue is that the car is quite old because they are going with Lexus, and they will only have a new car in two years.

“I am staying Silver, so it’s a good opportunity to do WEC. It’s my first meeting with the team. They are happy about me and I am happy about them, so why not?”

Boguslavskiy has also been in talks with AF Corse about driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 in GTWC Europe next year, but a potential test in the car overlapped with the rookie test.

He also confirmed that he has not driven the Lexus RC F GT3 that Akkodis ASP is planning to run in the WEC’s new LMGT3 class.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, Akkodis ASP is unlikely to remain in the top class of GTWC Europe if it joins the WEC.

“I am quite tired from the championship, five years in a row,” said Boguslavskiy, who started discussions with GM and TF Sport around two weeks ago.

“But the most important thing is to use my Silver status. I think we can get a good result here next year.”

TF Sport team principal Tom Ferrier told Sportscar365 that Boguslavskiy’s test came about with a view to potentially working together in LMGT3, but acknowledged that “nothing is definite” at this stage.

The rookie test is primarily an in-person introduction for Boguslavskiy considering the GTE Corvette is a different model from the GT3 car that TF Sport will operate next year.

The 23-year-old also attended the 2022 WEC rookie test, trying out an Oreca 07 Gibson run by AF Corse, but he has not raced in the WEC before.

“It’s more like a prototype in the feeling,” he said of the Corvette C8.R.

“All GT cars, if you look at the [GT3] Ferrari, BMW and McLaren, they are more or less like formula [cars]. Our Mercedes is really old and it’s been many years for me with this car, so it’s more than enough.”

Boguslavskiy won the Endurance Cup title alongside Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Jules Gounon and Raffaele Marciello, who is rumored to be leaving the manufacturer at the end of this year.

He and Marciello also secured the combined GTWC Europe drivers’ title and finished second in the Sprint Cup standings.

Sportscar365 understands that another prominent Mercedes-AMG factory ace and Endurance Cup champion, Daniel Juncadella, is being considered for a Corvette GT3 seat as GM seeks to increase its driver pool to support more cars in its new customer racing era.

In addition to Boguslavskiy, European Le Mans Series LMP3 race winner Antoine Doquin is driving the Corvette C8.R at the Bahrain test.