GT: Jarvis joins factory M-Sport Bentley team for Blancpain series

Former Audi LMP1 driver Oliver Jarvis has confirmed his move to the factory M-Sport Bentley team for the 2017 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Bathurst 12 Hours.

The 33-year-old Briton, whose nine-year stint as an Audi factory driver ended when Audi withdrew from LMP1, joins Guy Smith and Steven Kane in the No. 7 Continental GT3s. Vince Abril will move to the second GT3 with Andy Soucek and Maxime Soulet. Former Nissan GT Academy driver Wolfgang Reip, who finished third with Soucek and Soulet n the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup last year, will not return.

Well it's official. My new weapon for 2017! Can't wait to get started with @mrguysmith7 & @thestevenkane. I also get to do it at Bathurst a race I've been desperate to do! #Bentleyboys #newadventure #flatoutA photo posted by Oliver Jarvis (@oliverjarvis1) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:07am PST

"We're delighted to welcome Oliver to the Bentley Motorsport team," Bentley director of motorsport Brian Gush said. "He is a quick, confident and well-rounded driver who is easy to work with, which means he will fit-in well immediately. He has a wealth of experience in various machinery and I think he will bring a lot to the team, now and in the future. We're looking forward to welcoming him at our season-opener in Australia."

Jarvis will be making his Bathurst debut. He owns wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Rolex 24 at Daytona along with his six appearances at Le Mans, where he finished third three times. Prior to replacing Tom Kristensen alongside Loic Duval and Lucas di Grassi in a full-time World Endurance Championship ride, Jarvis combined his Audi role with a full season in Super GT with the SARD Toyota team in 2014.

"After nine years with Audi, its time for a new start and a new challenge," Jarvis said. "I had a few offers on the table but this was the right choice and I couldn't be happier to be joining Bentley as a works driver. Having followed closely what they have achieved on-track in GT racing since returning to motorsport, I can't wait to put the overalls on for the first time and become one of the 'Bentley Boys.'

"The brand's heritage in motorsport is certainly not lost on me and the 2003 Le Mans-winning car is still one of my favorite race cars of all-time," he continued. "After speaking to Brian Gush and hearing about their motorsport ambitions I knew that Bentley would be a great fit for me. To be able to start this new and exciting chapter in my life at Bathurst 12 Hour will also be something very special, as it's a race I've been looking forward to tackling for several years."

Bentley Motorsport will start the season at Bathurst in February, with its two-car team joined by new customer team Heretic Motorsport. More information on Bathurst and Heretic's driver lineup will be announced at a later date.