ByKolles Names Development Drivers for LMH Project

ByKolles Racing has named Tom Dillmann and Esteban Guerrieri as the lead development drivers of its Le Mans Hypercar project, to prepare for a race program targeted for 2022.

ByKolles LMP1 driver Dillmann and FIA World Touring Car Cup race winner Guerrieri are set to put the racing model from the PMC Project LMH range through its paces this year.

The team based in Greding, Germany says it has an “extensive” test program scheduled for the coming months.

ByKolles also intends to use the development phase as a chance to evaluate “talented young drivers” for a potential race role in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Confirmed test driver Dillmann is no stranger to the ByKolles organization, having been part of the team’s 24 Hours of Le Mans lineup on three occasions.

“I’ve been driving for the ByKolles team for three years and I feel very much at home with the team,” said the Frenchman, who teamed up with Oliver Webb and Bruno Spengler in last year’s Le Mans edition.

“The development of a new Hypercar for the top class of the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a very exciting task.

“During my career, I have been involved in the development of many different cars alongside racing. Most recently in LMP1 and Formula E.

“I look forward to bring my experience to this project and to be able to help guide it from the very beginning.”

Guerrieri is set to take on an expanded role with ByKolles having previously sampled the team’s ENSO CLM P1/01 LMP1 machine in private testing.

The Argentine driver finished fourth in last year’s FIA WTCR standings with Honda and also won the TCR class at the Nürburgring 24 with the Japanese manufacturer.

“From karting to almost all formula racing series to the fastest touring cars – in my career I have driven nearly everything that can be experienced in motorsport,” said Guerrieri.

“Now I’m looking forward to this new project and the tests in the ByKolles Hypercar.

“I am sure that my extensive experience in a wide variety of cars will help us to consistently develop the PMC Project LMH Hypercar and make it successful.

“At the same time, it’s a way back to my roots. I still know some of the team members from our time together in Formula 3.”

ByKolles launched its PMC Project LMH at Le Mans last year and outlined three versions of the car for road use, track days and racing.

ByKolles says that the development program for its race car, which was originally due to debut in the 2021 WEC season, will involve a “combination of reliability, performance, electronics setup and long-distance tests”.