WEC: Nissan reveals LMP1 driver lineups

Nissan has revealed the driver combinations for its LMP1 assault on this year's World Endurance Championship.

Olivier Pla and Harry Tincknell will share the #22 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO together with Michael Krumm, who will only contest the opening three races, up to and including the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. The sister #23 entry will be driven by Marc Gene, Jan Mardenborough and Max Chilton.

 "Olivier and Marc, as our two most experienced guys, will lead the cars and we wanted a good split of experience across the two cars," Nissan global motorsport boss Darren Cox said. "We see Marc as a kind of mentor for Jann as he continues his sports car education and for Max as he acclimatises to a new discipline."

Cox revealed that the size of the drivers had also played a role in the combinations.

"Marc and Jann are of a similar build, although Max is a bit taller, and then we have put the three biggest drivers together in one car," he explained. Nissan has yet to reveal who will replace Krumm after Le Mans, but Cox hinted that it could reshuffle the lineup for its home race at Fuji in October.

"We could mix it up a bit for Fuji and bring in some local stars," he said.

Reigning Super GT champion Tsugio Matsuda will share the team's third, Le Mans-only entry with Lucas Ordonez and Alex Buncombe.

The first Nissan GT-R LM could test again before the official WEC test days at Paul Ricard on March 27-28 after it was forced to abandon a run at Sebring last week.

"We are hoping to do as much as we can before the start of the season," Cox added.

The megajoule class in which the GT-R LM will run this year will be announced at the Ricard event.

Originally on Autosport.com