Jaime Alguersuari, president of RPM Racing and Gérard Neveu, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) have reached an agreement that will link the Formula V8 3.5 series to the majority of the 2017 WEC events.
The agreement includes a minimum of three overseas rounds in Mexico, Japan and Bahrain, in addition to three of the four European events on the WEC calendar: Silverstone, Spa and Nürburgring.
Both organizations have as their main aim the desire to provide young single-seater drivers with the opportunity to enter a professional motorsport environment offering a clear and well-defined professional career path in to the likes of LMP1, LMP2 and GTE.
Included in this historic new motorsport project is an amazing prize: the chance to be part of the WEC’s Rookie Test in Bahrain in the main categories of LMP1 or LMP2 or GTE for the drivers placed first, second and third in the Formula V8 3.5 championship.
“In 1998, exactly 18 years ago, RPM created a championship to help young talented drivers and their families to have a better understanding of a career in professional motor racing. That championship, originally called Formula Nissan, was won in 1999 by an 18-year-old driver whose name was Fernando Alonso,” Jaime Alguersuari, RPM President. “In 2005, with a new single-seater powered by 3L V6 engines, we signed an agreement with Renault Sport Technologies which was in force until 2015. Cost control has always been one of my biggest concerns in order to help the drivers, their families and sponsors. I have been always concerned with the development of the drivers’ career as well.”
“It is very good news that the V8 3.5 series will join the FIA WEC race meetings from 2017. Great news for the fans, but also for the young drivers who are the champions of the future, and the future is tomorrow,” added Gérard Neveu, FIA WEC CEO. “This single-seater championship has demonstrated for many years how very appealing and exciting it can be, while at the same time providing many great champions. It make sense to offer to the new generation of drivers access to a well-established championship such as the FIA WEC. The fact that the champions will have an opportunity to take part in the WEC’s official rookie test at the end of the season will be additional motivation and a target for everyone on the grid.”
