Manor Confirms Rao for LMP2 Program

Matt Rao has been confirmed at the new Manor WEC team, with the 21-year-old British rising star driver taking one of the seats in the now two-car Oreca 05 Nissan operation.

Rao, who finished runner-up in the 2014 British F3 Championship, joins the previously announced James Jakes, Tor Graves and Will Stevens as drivers for this season.

“[Manor] has a fantastic reputation and I know that their experience and professionalism will deliver great results,” Rao said.

“LMP2 has become an ultra-competitive series which is full of top quality drivers and teams. I am looking forward to The Prologue and driving the Oreca 05 for the first time.”

Rao got his first taste of a LMP2 car in November at the WEC Rookie test in Bahrain, having tested Signatech Alpine’s A450b Nissan.

“Matt is a very exciting prospect,” said Manor team principal John Boothg.

“Last year’s WEC Rookie test provided him with an opportunity to get to grips with LMP2 machinery for the first time and we are now looking forward to going racing with him in 2016 and seeing what results we can achieve together.”

The team has yet to announce driver combinations for the two-car effort.

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