Photo: MPS Agency
Hardpoint’s Rob Ferriol and Katherine Legge will not make their debuts in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as originally planned, with the American team electing to forgo the French endurance classic and effectively hand its entry to Absolute Racing.
Having received an automatic invite by IMSA for winning the Akin Award last year, Ferriol had previously confirmed plans to contest the race with his WeatherTech SportsCar Championship co-driver and Silver-rated Adrien de Leener.
However, Ferriol has surrendered his entry to Proton Competition, which has in turn awarded it to another one of its customers in the Chinese-badged Absolute squad.
Per ACO regulations, the car will still run under the Hardpoint team name.
According to photos seen at Circuit de la Sarthe on Tuesday, Alessio Picariello and Andrew Haryanto are two of the three confirmed drivers for the No. 99 entry.
The European Le Mans Series GTE competitors had been on the reserve list with its own entry for Picariello, Haryanto and Martin Rump.
The move comes after Hardpoint’s Porsche 911 GT3 R for Ferriol and Legge was withdrawn from the recent Lexus Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio WeatherTech Championship round, citing an increased focus on “business opportunities within motorsports.”
Hardpoint has reaffirmed plans to contest more WeatherTech Championship races this year, including the remaining Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.
Read full WEC article sportscar365.com