OAK Racing have announced that GT stalwarts Laurens Vanthoor and Kevin Estre will join their LMP2 team for Le Mans this year.
Both drivers will their LMP2 debut in the #34 OAK Ligier-Honda alongside Le Mans debutant Chris Cumming – who will draw on his experience in the PC prototype class in the ALMS Tudor United SportsCar Championship.
Team principal Philippe Dumas poached Estre to drive a McLaren MP4-12C in his Hexis GT team at the Baku FIA GT Series finale in 2013, with (Spa 24 Hr winner) Vanthoor running an Audi WRT in opposition to Estre in the Blancpain Endurance Series that year.
"I usually fight against Laurens on track as we are both factory drivers from competing makes in GT (Estre with McLaren and Vanthoor with Audi), so it will be fun to have a break and be together for a race”, said Estre.
Dumas was full of praise for both drivers.
"I've known Kevin for a long time and was able to put him in the McLaren two years ago, and I now really think he deserves this chance in a prototype”, Dumas told Autosport.
"I don't know Laurens personally so well, but I know how good he is from racing against him."
All three drivers will get to sample the OAK Ligier-Honda at Spa for two days in Mayin the lead-up to the official pre-race test day.
From acorns to Oaks
Images: Oak Racing