Prema Won’t Utilize Option of Additional Third LMP2 Entry

Prema has elected not to use its automatic invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and instead focus on its two full-season FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 cars.

The Italian team had the option to run three Oreca 07 Gibsons at the centennial Le Mans edition in June, after securing a guaranteed entry for winning last year’s European Le Mans Series LMP2 title in its first season of prototype racing.

Prema has since moved its ELMS car over to the WEC, which counts Le Mans as one of its seven rounds. Both of the team’s WEC cars will compete at the French endurance classic, where Prema finished on the LMP2 podium last time out with a single-car effort.

“The plan has always been to focus on two cars for the full season,” said team principal Rene Rosin.

“We think that keeping our full-time 2023 lineup will maximize our chances for the race and for the whole championship.”

Prema was one of 13 teams to receive automatic invitations to Le Mans. Panis Racing and Cool Racing were the other ELMS outfits to get LMP2 berths, while Prema partner squad Iron Lynx was one of three GTE teams to earn an entry for the GTE-Am class.

Prema announced its WEC driver lineup at the start of February.

Doriane Pin will share the No. 63 Oreca with ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat and Lamborghini factory ace Mirko Bortolotti.

The sister No. 9 car will be driven by Juan Manuel Correa, Filip Ugran and Bent Viscaal, with Andrea Caldarelli subbing for Correa at races that clash with the American’s FIA Formula 2 commitments.

Prema’s two-car WEC effort forms part of its preparations for working with Iron Lynx on the 2024 Lamborghini LMDh program.