Gray, Fleming Selected for Bahrain Rookie Test

Photos: DPPI

Ollie Gray and Tom Fleming have been selected to take part in next month’s FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain, following their strong performances in the European Le Mans Series this season.

Ex-Williams Driver Academy member Gray, who currently leads the ELMS LMP2 standings with VDS Panis Racing, will take part in the Nov. 9 test at the wheel of the Hypercar championship-winning car.

Fleming, who drives for GR Racing in the ELMS GT3 ranks, will be aboard the WEC LMGT3 title winner in the single-day test on the day after the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain.

Gray, 20, has teamed with Charles Milesi and Esteban Masson for two overall wins in ELMS competition this year, while his No. 48 Oreca 07 Gibson nearly won its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans until suffering suspension failure with 20 minutes to go.

“I’m over-the-moon to be selected for this year’s Rookie Test,” said Gray. “The opportunity to drive the winning Hypercar is amazing, and it’s a step forward in my career as that’s where I want to be in the future.

“This year has been great with VDS Panis Racing in ELMS; working with Charles and Esteban has been fantastic, and our relationship I think has contributed to our success.

“My long-term objective is to race in the top class in FIA WEC, so hopefully I can show what I’m made of in Bahrain and take a step closer to that goal.”

Gray will likely get his Hypercar chance in either the Ferrari 499P or Porsche 963, which currently sit 1-2 in the manufacturers’ world championship standings, although Cadillac still holds an outside chance of the title heading into Bahrain.

Fellow Brit Fleming is similarly a familiar face in ELMS, where he shares a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Michael Wainwright and Riccardo Pera. The trio sit seventh in the points table ahead of this month’s season finale at Portimao.

“I’m honored to be selected for the FIA WEC rookie test,” said Fleming. “To be part of such an exclusive and prestigious event is an incredible privilege and an opportunity I’m looking forward to making the most of.

“I’ve enjoyed an extremely busy, fruitful and diverse racing program this year. I’ve developed an enormous amount, gaining so much experience in a wide range of disciplines and situations – and now the Rookie Test will be the cherry on the cake to conclude what has been a successful 2025.

“Having never driven a race car outside of Europe, the unique climate and circuit layout in Bahrain will be an interesting challenge.

“Over the years, I’ve seen many FIA WEC and Formula 1 races take place at the circuit, so it’s simply surreal to think I will be heading there myself. I’ll be sure to do plenty of sim work in preparation.”

Manthey currently leads the LMGT3 teams’ standings following last weekend’s 6 Hours of Fuji, although the No. 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R holds a narrow 11-point lead over the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari team, and No. 81 TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R still in the championship fight as well.

WEC co-promoter LMEM has nominated rising stars to the end-of-year rookie test since its formation in 2015, with Reshad de Gerus and Gillian Henrion having taken been selected last year.

A full entry list, where teams are able to select their own rookies for the test, is expected to be released later this month.

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