IN PICTURES - The new GTPs

This is a first appetizer of what the GTP will look like next season, in IMSA. On the Road Atlanta track, which saw the success and crowning achievement of Meyer Shank Racing at the end of Petit Le Mans, three of the four manufacturers entered for 2023 were able to carry out tests with their new LMDh. BMW, Acura and Cadillac were present, only Porsche did not drive Monday in Georgia. The opportunity to see the new cars in action and on the track at the same time, with precious driving before the first deadline at the 24 Hours of Daytona, in January 2023. Tests are also scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

For BMW, it was Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly and Augusto Farfus – three of the four BMW M Team RLL drivers confirmed for next season in the GTP class, who completed several laps at the Braselton track. They were joined by Marco Wittmann to participate in these tests. The German-American team had to repair its car urgently to be ready on Monday, after a crash during its previous test at Watkins Glen.

Work focusing on the reliability of LMDhs

On the Cadillac side, four drivers are present to run the American prototype: Pipo Derani, Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Sébastien Bourdais. “We focused on durability, which is putting as many miles on the car as possible.said Laura Wontrop Klauser, racing program manager for General Motors Group. We have a lot of integration work with the engine, the hybrid and the electronic braking system. It’s also about understanding the tires and making sure the driver experience is great, so they feel confident pushing the car to its limits in races. »

Finally, for Acura’s two LMDhs, Tom Blomqvist and Matt McMurry drive the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing car, while Felipe Albuquerque, Brendon Hartley, Louis Delétraz and Ricky Taylor are present in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing car. .