Williamson to Make LMP2 Debut Strakka at 6H Nürburgring

Photo: Strakka Racing

FIA World Endurance Championship debutant Lewis Williamson will compete in the Six Hours of Nürburgring later this month with Strakka Racing, replacing Danny Watts.

The 26-year-old Scot is currently second in the Renault Sport Trophy, racing Strakka’s Renault R.S.01.

However, he will undertake a new challenge at the first post-Le Mans round of the WEC, driving the Silverstone-based team’s Gibson 015S Nissan alongside full-season drivers Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis.

“No doubt, this is an immense opportunity for me,” said Williamson. “Strakka has given me a chance very few drivers get and I intend to make the very most of it.

“I’ve done well in the past at the Nürburgring; picking up a second in GP3 and the Gibson was the fastest car on last year’s test day so I reckon we should in the mix.”

The Silver-rated driver will downgrade Strakka’s lineup from Platinum-Platinum-Silver to Platinum-Silver-Silver, but he does have experience in the car already.

He took to the wheel of the open-cockpit prototype at the Bahrain Rookie Test last year, and has also been in attendance at a few WEC events with the team.

“Through our race and coaching programs, Strakka has always looked to support young drivers, nurturing talent and where possible providing chances,” said team founder and driver Nick Leventis.

“At Nürburgring we are underlining that commitment by giving Lewis a shot in a full WEC weekend. I’d like to thank Danny Watts, who will remain part of Strakka this season, for all his efforts in the car so far.”

Team principal Dan Walmsley confirms that the addition of Williamson is one of preparation for 2017.

He has yet to announce plans for his team, which has been rumored to be considering a move up to LMP1 Privateer for 2017.

“We are in the process of evaluating all our options for 2017; our race program, drivers, the lot,” said Walmsley.

“We felt we could use this weekend to put Lewis in a race weekend and gauge his performance against one of the most competitive LMP2 fields we have witnessed in sports car racing in recent times.

“His pace in the R.S.01, his approach in the simulator and his efforts at the factory are worthy of an outing in WEC and we want to see how he performs.”

Jake Kilshaw

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