Davison Completes Gulf Racing Lineup

Australian racer Alex Davison has been confirmed as the final driver in Gulf Racing’s lineup for the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

The 38-year-old Silver-rated driver will share the British outfit’s GTE-Am-entered Porsche 911 RSR with Mike Wainwright and Ben Barker.

Wainwright appeared on the provisional WEC entry list in February, while Barker was confirmed for a third season with the team last week.

Davison, meanwhile, is set for his championship debut with Gulf, which will include his first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a decade.

“There are very few opportunities in your career where the phone rings and such an opportunity arises,” he said.

“The call-up to race in the WEC was very much out of the blue and it’s literally a dream come true.

“I never truly thought I’d have the chance to race in Europe or at Le Mans again and now it’s becoming a reality.”

Davison tested the 911 RSR, which is becoming available to GTE-Am teams this year after running with the factory GTE-Pro squad in 2017, for the first time at Vallelunga recently.

He will balance his WEC program with a title bid in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series, which he won in 2004.

Most recently Davison has focused on part-season Virgin Australia Supercars campaigns, and also finished second in class at last month’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

His last appearance in an ACO-sanctioned competition came a decade ago, when he finished second in the 2008 European Le Mans Series driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with Marc Lieb.

“It’s amazing how the cars have progressed over the past decade,” said Davison.

“The 2008 car was amazing, but the current RSR just feels like much more of a purpose built race car. While much of the Vallelunga test was wet, it was valuable experience in the new 911.

“Gulf Racing is a new team to me, but I know Ben already and Mike has been great.

“I have experience on many of the WEC circuits and also the longer distance formats. It will now be up to me to adapt to the new surroundings for what will be a hugely exciting season.”