LMP2 ace Derani joins McLaren for Spa 24 Hours
Reigning Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours winner Pipo Derani will race a McLaren in the Spa 24 Hours later this month, making his GT racing debut in a Garage 59-entered McLaren 650S GT3.
Derani is contesting a full FIA WEC season for the Tequila Patron ESM team, but will get his first taste of GT3 action as he teams up with fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna and GT3 regular Duncan Tappy.
“I am really appreciative of Garage 59 giving me an opportunity like this for such a great race as the Spa 24 Hours,” Derani told Motorsport.com.
“The car looks awesome and I can’t wait until I drive it for the first time tomorrow at the official Spa test day.
"Sharing the car with a fellow Brazilian will be great and I have also heard great things about Duncan [Tappy], so I think there is a lot to look forward to and we will make a nice team.”
McLaren has three 650S machines entered at Spa, with regular Blancpain Endurance Cup driver line-ups of Rob Bell, Come Ledogar and Shane van Gisbergen sharing the #58 car and Academy Drivers Alex Fontana, Struan Moore and Andrew Watson in the #59.
“The drivers we have on board for the season are working well together and the team is proving to be very strong along with the car,” said Garage 59 team boss Bas Leinders.
“The addition of the third car with the drivers that we have confirmed today stand us in good stead for a strong showing at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.”
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