G-Drive Confirms Withdrawal From WEC

Photo: MPS Agency

G-Drive Racing has confirmed its withdrawal from the FIA World Endurance Championship in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing sanctions from governments as well as the FIA.

The Russian squad, which was due to celebrate its 10th anniversary in international motorsports, will not enter its Oreca 07 Gibson in the LMP2 class for the previously announced lineup of Daniil Kvyat, Rene Binder and James Allen.

It comes after team leader Roman Rusinov’s comments made on Instagram on Saturday, stating that he refuses to accept the FIA’s “discriminatory conditions” to race in FIA recognized series and events that also includes the European Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Rusinov was slated to be in a second APR-run G-Drive entry for Le Mans alongside a full-season ELMS program.

“G-Drive Racing was actively preparing for the anniversary season, which promised to be the most eventful in the history of the team,” a statement from the team read.

“The lineup of pilots was reinforced by the most successful Russian Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat.

“This season, G-Drive Racing will focus more on motorsport events in Russia. Further plans of the team will be announced later.”

No word has been given on G-Drive’s entries in the ELMS this season, which was due to feature Sophia Floresch in the lineup.

G-Drive Racing operator Algarve Pro Racing, however, could still be on the grid this season, at least in the ELMS and at Le Mans, pending entry confirmation.

Team principal Stewart Cox declined to comment to Sportscar365 on Saturday when asked about APR’s future.

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