Gutierrez to Make Sports Car Debut with Inter Europol

Inter Europol Competition has finalized its LMP2 driving squad for the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship with the signing of ex-Formula 1 driver Esteban Gutierrez.

The 30-year-old Mexican will team up with the returning Alex Brundle and Jakub Smiechowski in the No. 34 Oreca 07 Gibson for the six-round campaign, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Gutierrez is set for his first career racing stint in five years, having last competed in the 2017 IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing.

He drove for the Sauber F1 team in the 2013 and 2014 seasons before joining Haas for 2016.

Since his last competitive open-wheel appearance, Gutierrez has been involved with Mercedes as a reserve and development driver for the company’s F1 and Formula E projects.

“I am pleased to join the Inter Europol Competition team for the FIA WEC 2022 season,” said Gutierrez.

“A thank you to the team for the opportunity to have me race together with ‘Kuba’ Smiechowski and Alex Brundle.

“With the team’s progress and our combined ambition, I am confident we will make an excellent team. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me.

“I will focus on learning as much as possible and as soon as possible. It is an honor for me to return to racing in this competitive and prestigious series.”

Inter Europol Competition made its WEC debut last year with Brundle, Smiechowski and two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Renger van der Zande teaming up.

The Polish squad ended up fifth in the overall LMP2 classification and finished in the top five at all but one of the half a dozen races.

“We are happy to welcome Esteban to the team,” said team principal Sascha Fassbender.

“I am confident that this will be a strong year for the team. A thank you to Renger van de Zande who, with Alex and Kuba, worked hard last year to bring us to this level.

“With Esteban in the team, we have a strong line-up to achieve our ambitions. I look forward to working together to accomplish great things this season.”