Chatin Replaces Giovonazzi in Bahrain Rookie Test

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Paul-Loup Chatin has replaced Antonio Giovinazzi as the nominated Audi R18 driver for the FIA World Endurance Championship Bahrain Rookie Test, in the latest update of the entry list, which was released on Friday.

ENTRY LIST: WEC Rookie Test

The 2014 European Le Mans Series champion, and current driver for Baxi DC Racing Alpine in the WEC LMP2 class, will pilot the diesel-powered LMP1 car in the single-day test the day after the season-ending WEC round on Nov. 20.

Giovinazzi declined the invite to test the Audi due to his GP2 commitments. The Italian driver is not expected to be in Bahrain that weekend.

As previously announced, both Pipo Derani and Gustavo Menezes will test for Toyota Gazoo Racing and Porsche Team, respectively.

An additional 12 cars are entered for the test, with second Porsche and Toyota entries and the ByKolles CLM P1/01 AER also listed in LMP1.

Six cars are entered in LMP2, with Tom Jackson and Felix Serralles set to test for G-Drive Racing in its Oreca 05 Nissan, and Will Owen and Patricio O’Ward in the RGR Sport Ligier JS P2 Nissan.

Drivers for the Baxi DC Racing Alpine, Signatech Alpine and two Manor cars have yet to be confirmed.

The GTE class will see a Ferrari 488 GTE entered, alongside a two-car Aston Martin Racing effort, featuring a number of British drivers, including Alex Lynn.

FIA Driver Advisor, and former Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas, meanwhile, will test cars from each of the three current LMP1 manufacturers in order to increase his first-hand knowledge of the prototypes and its characteristics.

The test runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1 to 4 p.m. local time, with the final entry list to be confirmed the week prior to the Six Hours of Bahrain.

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