Louis joins Rebellion Racing for WEC races at Spa and Le Mans
Louis Delétraz will make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut in 2020 after being named as part of Rebellion Racing’s LMP1 driver line-up for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 22-year-old has been called up by the Swiss team after impressing during the WEC’s rookie test at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain during December.
He will partner three-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas and Nathanaël Berthon in the #3 Rebellion R-13 machine.
Although his primary focus is on winning the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2020, Louis admits he jumped at the chance to add to his racing programme by making his WEC debut in an LMP1 car that has the potential to win either of the races in Belgium and France.
“As a Swiss driver, I’ve known Rebellion for a long time and I was very happy to get the surprise call to take part in the rookie test. That went very well and I loved the LMP1 car straight away,” he explained.
“But to now get the opportunity to race the car at Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is simply amazing. Le Mans in the race that everyone dreams about and I’m no different!
“To make my endurance racing debut at the age of 22, with a prestigious Swiss team like Rebellion, and in a car that has a chance of challenging for victory is extremely special and I thank Rebellion for giving me this opportunity and trusting in me.”
Louis Delétraz will make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut in 2020 after being named as part of Rebellion Racing’s LMP1 driver line-up for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 22-year-old has been called up by the Swiss team after impressing during the WEC’s rookie test at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain during December.
He will partner three-time Le Mans winner Romain Dumas and Nathanaël Berthon in the #3 Rebellion R-13 machine.
Although his primary focus is on winning the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2020, Louis admits he jumped at the chance to add to his racing programme by making his WEC debut in an LMP1 car that has the potential to win either of the races in Belgium and France.
“As a Swiss driver, I’ve known Rebellion for a long time and I was very happy to get the surprise call to take part in the rookie test. That went very well and I loved the LMP1 car straight away,” he explained.
“But to now get the opportunity to race the car at Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is simply amazing. Le Mans in the race that everyone dreams about and I’m no different!
“To make my endurance racing debut at the age of 22, with a prestigious Swiss team like Rebellion, and in a car that has a chance of challenging for victory is extremely special and I thank Rebellion for giving me this opportunity and trusting in me.”
With the 6 Hours of Spa falling on 25 April and the 24 Hours of Le Mans scheduled for 13-14 June, Louis’ new WEC programme doesn’t clash with any of his existing F2 commitments. He will take to the Spa asphalt just after his F2 races at Zandvoort, while Le Mans is a week after F2 in Baku.
As an endurance racing rookie, Louis is pleased to line up alongside Romain Dumas and Nathanaël Berthon in the #3 Rebellion.
“For me, it’s a great driver line-up for my debut. Romain is the king of endurance racing and Nathanaël also has lots of experience,” he said.
“I have been racing for a number of years but I don’t have an endurance background. I’m confident I will have the speed in WEC but it will be a great help to have the other guys to give me some advice about the other requirements in LMP1 racing. We know that you don’t win an endurance race on speed alone. You have to be clever.”
Louis will also be able to call on the experience of his father, Jean-Denis, who raced at Le Mans nine times and won his category twice. “I’m sure he’ll have some good tips for me as well!” he added.
Alexandre Pesci, president and owner of Rebellion Racing said: “We are happy to trust Romain Dumas after our journey and success in the Dakar; to keep on working together seemed obvious! He will be a great help alongside his young team-mates thanks to his experience at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“We also support our young and talented Swiss driver, Louis Delétraz for his very first participation in the famous Le Mans race! We also hope that Nathanaël Berthon can fully express his talent in this 88th edition.”
