Magnussen to Take Part in Bahrain Rookie Test

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Jan Magnussen will drive High Class Racing’s Oreca 07 Gibson in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Bahrain Rookie Test later this month ahead of a planned 24 Hours of Le Mans program.

The long-time Corvette Racing factory driver, who split from the manufacturer in October, will make his first public appearance in a current-gen LMP2 car in Bahrain.

It will be the first step in a planned Le Mans entry next year, where Magnussen would form part of an all-Danish lineup in High Class’ European Le Mans Series car, alongside its full-season WEC entry.

“I’m excited to get behind the wheel of High Class Racing’s ORECA during the Bahrain Rookie Test,” said Magnussen.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been behind the wheel of a prototype. I’m looking forward to learning the characteristics of the 07 chassis, which has been hugely successful since its debut in 2017.

“Joining High Class Racing is a perfect fit for me, I have a long-standing relationship with the team. The chance to return to Le Mans in 2020 as part of an all-Danish lineup is something I will not turn down.”

High Class will also test another Danish driver, Michael Markussen, at Bahrain.

Five hours of track time will be available to teams on Sunday, Dec. 15 after the fourth round of the season the previous day.

“We are delighted to announce that Jan Magnussen will be testing with us in Bahrain,” added team manager Nikolaj Johansen.

“It’s an honor that High Class Racing can be a part of his dream of competing at Le Mans in LMP2 in 2020, and in the future to compete at La Sarthe alongside his son Kevin.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the team, and a huge following of fans globally from his decades spent winning races and titles in the USA.”

Magnussen previously confirmed plans to compete in TCR Denmark next year, driving a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.