Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA is pleased to announce that Ho-Pin Tung, Alex Brundle, Antonio Felix Da Costa and Ferdinand Habsburg will share the second of the team’s two LMP2 cars for the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona.The confirmation comes in the wake of the previously announced stellar line-up for the sister car.
Tung has been one of the leading figures in China’s motorsport industry and was one of the trio of drivers of the #Migthy38, run by the Anglo-Chinese team in 2017, which finished runner-up in the LMP2 class of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Brundle, son of ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle, has been focusing on endurance competition after his GP3 season in 2012. The 27-year-old Briton was the teammate of Tung driving the sister car #FortuneCat37 in FIA WEC this year.
Felix Da Costa, from Lisbon, is a former Red Bull Racing protege with race wins in both the GP3 series and World Series 3.5. As a two-time Macau Grand Prix winner, the Portuguese BMW factory driver has raced in DTM, GT’s and has just started his fourth season in the FIA Formula E Championship.
Habsburg, born in 1997, was one of the outstanding rookies of the 2017 FIA F3 Championship with one race win under his belt and a spectacular performance in Macau.
2017 saw some stunning result delivered by Jackie Chan DC Racing and JOTA Sport, in the first year of their partnership, with three victories in the 2017 WEC season including the famous double overall podium finish and dominant 1st and 2nd in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June. This, combined with the FIA WEC Championship result, earnt the Chinese entered team the prestigious 2017 FIA WEC “Team of the Year” award.
With the full line-up of two entries finalised, the team now focuses on the preparation for the traditional ‘Roar Before the 24’ test at Daytona International Speedway, 5-7 January before the race will take place over the weekend of 27-28 January.
Ho-Pin TUNG, Driver of Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA
“After our historic double victory at Le Mans 24 Hours with our team this year, going to Daytona for the Rolex 24 was a logical step for our still young team. I believe this Rolex 24 at Daytona will arguably be the strongest field it has every seen and competition will be fierce, but we will be entering with two fantastic line-ups and our winning trusted crews.
“Although we face a very steep learning curve with a new environment and very different tyres, our goals are set high.We will definitely be aiming for nothing less than to win, in which is another iconic 24H endurance race.”
Antonio Felix Da Costa, Driver of Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA
“I am really happy to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, specially with such a strong team and driver line up. Looking forward to getting to grips with the car and the team which, having won Le Mans 24 Hours in 2017, is the perfect squad for my first Rolex 24 at Daytona.”
Alex Brundle, Driver of Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA
“I am delighted to join Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA for the great challenge of the 24 hours of Daytona. I have had a huge amount of enjoyment and success racing in the United States and I am really excited to be heading back to Daytona with such a strong team around me. My teammates are talented and dedicated group of guys and we’ll be pushing incredibly hard for a good result that the 24.”
Ferdinand Habsburg, Driver of Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA
“The 24 hours of Daytona has always been a dream of mine and I have always wanted to experience sportscar racing. To do both of these things with the dream Team of Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA is just unbelievable. I’m going to have team mates that I really look up to and drive one of the most spectacular cars in the world. Thanks to the Team for giving me the opportunity and for putting two big ticks on my bucket list. Can’t wait for January!
David Cheng, Co-founder of Jackie Chan DC Racing
“I’m really glad to have Antonio and Ferdinand join Ho-Pin and Alex to complete the a stellar line-up across both cars. This will definitely give the team the best edge in a very competitive field this year at Daytona.
“The experience that Ho-Pin and Alex with the car will help the whole team get up to grips quicker. And we have no doubts about the speed of our two new additions in Antonio and Ferdinand.
“It’s great to have everything wrapped up before the holiday break with all the drivers. I know all the guys are very eager to go racing and the team is well prepared to give them the best competitive shot, across both cars.”
Sam Hignett, Director of JOTA Sport
“It is very exciting to be going to the Rolex 24 at Daytona for the first time with two such strong car crews. It has been a few years since we last raced in America outside of the FIA WEC but having had cars on the overall podium at Petit Le Mans we aim to be doing even better in Daytona”
