DragonSpeed Sporting Director Nicolas Minassian is set to drive the number 22 G-Drive Racing by DragonSpeed ORECA 07 Gibson in the European Le Mans Series races at the Red Bull Ring and Paul Ricard as a substitute for Ryo Hirakawa.
Hirakawa has been scheduled to miss the two ELMS races due to planned commitments racing in the Super GT rounds at Sugo and Fuji Speedway that clash with DragonSpeed’s trips to Austria and France.
As a result, 44-year-old Frenchman Minassian, who is DragonSpeed’s nominated pro reserve driver, will return to the cockpit to race for the first time since he took the position as Sporting Director at the end of the 2016 season, alongside Léo Roussel and Memo Rojas.
“I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel of a prototype and race in such a competitive series,” Minassian said. “I tested the car at Le Mans during the Test Day with the team, so I already have a feel for the new-for-2017 LMP2s.
“The number 22, G-Drive Racing by DragonSpeed, which won last time out in the European Le Mans Series at Monza is firmly in the title race, and I’m hoping to be able to assist Leo and Memo in scoring two good results and valuable points at Red Bull Ring and Paul Ricard.”
Following his two Super GT appearances, Hirakawa will return to the G-Drive by DragonSpeed team for the final two races of the season at Spa and Algarve.
The 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring is set to take place later this month on 23 July, followed by the 4 Hours of Paul Ricard on 27 August.
