Van der Zande: Open Seats a Factor in 2027 Driver Market

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Renger van der Zande says the number of open seats in the top class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship could be a limiting factor in what’s already shaping up to be one of the busiest driver markets in modern day prototype history.

The Dutchman is one of the highest-profile drivers to currently be a free agent for next year, following Acura’s decision to suspend its GTP program in the WeatherTech Championship, leaving van der Zande, Nick Yelloly, Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun all currently without rides in 2027.

Van der Zande, who has 19 career IMSA wins and a Prototype Challenge championship to his credit, joined Acura Meyer Shank Racing last year off the back of a long-standing run with Cadillac, most recently with Chip Ganassi Racing.

“It’s been nice that Acura has informed us so early, because they could have left it late as well, and they didn’t,” he said. “They’re very honest people, very open and honest.

“So I can only thank them for that, but at the same time, everybody’s talking to me.

“Manufacturers [have been] showing their interest to have me on board, but at the same time, there needs to be a spot as well.

“[There] needs to be seats that are opening up or being opened up. And it being so early, I think more is happening around Le Mans. I think that’s the time when we can really say which direction we’re going.”

With limited options in the IMSA GTP class, van der Zande admitted he could pivot to the WEC full-time should an opportunity arise.

Both McLaren and Ford are entering the WEC’s Hypercar class next year, although the majority of its drivers have already been secured. ‘

Adding to the even more complex driver market is Alpine’s withdrawal from the world championship at years’ end, although there’s an active effort to keep the majority of the operation alive, but with a new manufacturer.

“I feel I’m a very experienced prototype driver in the, in the LMDh [cars], in GTP,” said van der Zande. “So [it] could be IMSA, could be WEC.

“Obviously, the last 13 years, I’ve done more IMSA than WEC or European racing. I guess the people looking at me as an IMSA driver, but at the same time, those cars running in all around the world is good fun as well in WEC.

“Right now, it’s a lot of talking and at the same time focusing on the racing we’re doing here in IMSA because we still have big aims with Acura to win and I think we have a good chance of doing that. So that’s an opportunity that I want to grab first.”

Van der Zande Going to “Push” Farano in Upcoming Le Mans LMP2 Pro-Am Bid

The 40-year-old, meanwhile, is set for his ninth consecutive appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month, at the wheel of a DKR Engineering-run Oreca 07 Gibson in the LMP2 Pro-Am ranks alongside Tower Motorsport team owner John Farano and the Canadian’s IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup co-driver Sebastian Alvarez.

Van der Zande deputized for Tower’s pro driver in the last two editions of the WeatherTech Championship LMP2 headline race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

“I know John very well and I know Sebastian very well,” he said. “It’s be a weekend to optimize in the Pro-Am class, which is very competitive this year.

“It’s up to John to get the most out of it.

“I think in WEC, the Bronze driver makes a huge difference. I saw John [recently] at Watkins Glen, so from today until the finish of Le Mans, I’m going push him to get the most out of him.

“He knows from me, that I won’t hold back, and, and then at the same time, I’ll be doing my fair share to get the car as fast as we can through the weekend.”

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