Heinemeier Hansson, Canal Complete Rebellion WEC Lineup

Photos: Vision Sport Agency

David Heinemeier Hansson and Julien Canal will complete Rebellion Racing’s lineup in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Anglo-Swiss squad confirmed Monday.

Heinemeier Hansson, a former GTE-Am World Champion, will join the previously announced Mathias Beche and Nelson Piquet Jr. in the team’s No. 13 Oreca 07 Gibson, with 2015 LMP2 champion Canal set for the No. 31 car with Nicolas Prost and Bruno Senna.

Both newly signed drivers fulfill the WEC’s Bronze/Silver-driver requirement for the LMP2 class.

The Dane returns to LMP2 after a one-year stint in the GTE-Am class with Abu Dhabi Proton Racing, where he finished runner-up in the 2016 championship. Heinemeier Hansson boasts previous P2 experience in 2012-13 and 2015.

“Since I started racing at a top level, Rebellion Racing has stood at the pinnacle of the privateer tradition with pace, style, and a determination to see things through,” Heinemeier Hansson said.

“I couldn’t wish for a better team to begin my fifth full season in the FIA WEC and my sixth crack at the 24 hours of Le Mans.

“The competition is tougher than ever in LMP2, the cars are more exciting than ever, and together we will be ready as a team.”

Canal, meanwhile, returns to the WEC after a one-year stint in the European Le Mans Series with Greaves Motorsport in a Ligier JS P2 Nissan.

“After winning the FIA WEC LMP2 [championship] in 2015, my desire to return to this championship was very high and I wanted to come back with a strong team, a team with the will to win and positive vibe,” he said.

“I cannot wait to drive the new Oreca 07 LMP2 car. I know Bruno Senna, we get on very well, and with Nico our friendly relationship goes back for many years, I’m looking forward to sharing this car with them both.”

Team manager Bart Hayden added: “We are looking forward to a great season of racing in 2017 in the FIA World Endurance Championship and in June we hope to have another strong showing at Le Mans.

“We are fortunate to benefit from a talented and experienced pool of drivers again this year. I’m convinced that they will all do a great job and work well together.”

The team will kick off its 2017 campaign in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with a single Oreca Gibson for Neel Jani, Stephane Sarrazin, Sebastien Buemi and Nick Heidfeld.

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