Rusinov Remains Gold; FIA Releases Updated 2017 Driver Ratings List

Photo: FIA

Roman Rusinov has remained a Gold-rated driver, with very few changes having been made in an updated 2017 driver ratings list released by the FIA on Thursday.

The Russian, who was among a number of drivers who protested their re-classification from the initial list that was released last month, have had their classifications upheld by the FIA.

Only a handful of drivers have been reclassified, mainly U.S.-based competitors, with the most notable change being Sean Rayhall, who has gone back to Silver rating after competing this year as a Gold-rated driver.

Along with Rusinov, other former Silvers have had their Gold rating unchanged, incuding Rui Aguas, Ben Barker, Gustavo Menezes, Alex Riberas, Marco Seefried and Jeff Segal.

Rusinov, a longtime LMP2 competitor and the most successful driver in FIA World Endurance Championship history, had threatned to leave the championship if his rating had not been changed to Silver.

Notable Changes from provisional 2017 List:
Michael Cooper – Silver to Gold
Thomas Jaeger – Platinum to Gold
Sean Rayhall – Gold to Silver
Max Riddle – Bronze to Silver
Sloan Urry – Bronze to Silver
James Vance – Bronze to Silver
Kris Wilson – Silver to Bronze
Lars Villjoen – Silver to Bronze

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