ByKolles Completes Test with Updated LMP1 Car

Photo: ByKolles

ByKolles Racing has completed what the team has hailed as an “all-around successful” test at the Hungaroring with an updated version of its ENSO CLM P1/01 NISMO, in preparation for a likely return to the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

The German squad, which has been absent from the WEC grid since last month’s Six Hours of Mexico, has focused on further developments to its LMP1 non-hybrid car.

Oliver Webb and Dominik Kraihamer were tasked with testing duties late last month, which validated several aerodynamic and mechanical updates to the car.

“For us the test days were an all-around success,” said team director Boris Bermes. “Our latest developments have brought precisely the progress that we expected from them.

“We were able to complete many laps of testing, gain insights and gather new ideas for the next steps in development.

“Even the weather played into our hands. We were able to complete a day with dry and wet conditions. That was important to check the settings under different track conditions.

“With the current progress we are very satisfied, and there is more to come. In the coming weeks we expect more new parts, which we will try out again for extensive [testing].”

While yet to confirm its 2018 program, ByKolles is expected to field at least one LMP1 entry next year, alongside a pair of SMP Racing BR1 prototypes, and potentially other non-hybrid entries in the new-look class.

Bermes has ruled out an end-of-season return for the team in Bahrain, which had been initially under consideration earlier this year.

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