WEC: Dunlop returns to LMP1 with Rebellion

Dunlop will return to the LMP1 category for the first time since 2012 by supplying the privateer Rebellion Racing squad in this year's World Endurance Championship.

Rebellion, which confirmed its intention to return to the WEC with an unchanged driver line-up last week, will be Dunlop's official development partner. A statement from the Anglo-Swiss team said that "it was convinced that Dunlop could provide competitive tires in the LMP1 category after extensive testing."

Team manager Bart Hayden added: "We have seen in recent seasons that Dunlop has provided very competitive tires to the LMP2 cars and we hope that this partnership will further improve the competitiveness of the Rebellion R-One LMP1 cars."

Dunlop motorsport boss Xavier Fraipont said that he was "proud that the team has selected our iconic brand after an intensive comparative tire test and we will be providing focused technical support to help us drive forward together during the season."

Dunlop's last tire supply deal in the WEC's P1 class was with the OAK Racing squad in 2012, the same year that it took its last victory at this level with the Dyson Racing Lola squad in the American Le Mans Series.

Originally on Autosport.com