Corvette Racing confirms LMGTE Pro entry for 2022 FIA WEC
Corvette Racing has confirmed it will enter next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship with one full-time Corvette C8.R in the LMGTE Pro category, with a two-car effort planned for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Tommy Milner (USA) and Nick Tandy (UK) will take on the six-round WEC calendar with the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, which will continue in the LMGTE Pro category against similar factory entries.
The presence of Corvette Racing in the WEC means Chevrolet will fight for the GT Manufacturers’ World Championship alongside Ferrari and Porsche in 2022.
Milner and Tandy’s season will begin with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring on 18 March as the championship returns for its double-header weekend with IMSA, which runs the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring the following day.
A handful of new circuits for Corvette Racing – Monza, Fuji and Bahrain – await on the WEC calendar for 2022, plus a return to Spa-Francorchamps and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Corvette Racing aims to gain invitations for two Corvette C8.Rs for Le Mans. Alexander Sims will reunite with Milner and Tandy for the 24 hour race, with the Garcia/Taylor/Catsburg trio also eyeing a Le Mans return. It will mark the manufacturer’s 22nd appearance at the legendary 24 hour race, which also forms round three of next year’s WEC.
Tommy Milner commented: “It’s an exciting and new challenge to do a full season in WEC. As the decisions were being made, I was asked my preference of what I would like to do for 2022. I’ve obviously enjoyed every single year that I’ve been in IMSA with some amazing tracks and events. But the opportunity to race at some other famous and storied circuits – ones that I’ve never been to – in a Corvette and in the WEC is amazing. We got a look at what it’s like to race in a normal WEC race when some of the team raced at Spa last year. Having that experience and knowledge will be beneficial for 2022.”
Nick Tandy commented: “I’m excited for this new challenge. I last competed for a full season in the FIA WEC in 2017, so I know what the championship is all about. I’m especially looking forward to taking this Corvette to tracks and events where we haven’t raced the car before. Obviously I’ve been involved in the full IMSA season and Le Mans this year, but to run the C8.R in six and eight-hour events that WEC runs is something still a little unknown to us at Corvette Racing. Going for a World Championship is something that not many people compete for, so I’m looking forward to what comes ahead.”
Frédéric Lequien, FIA WEC CEO, concluded: “Corvette is an iconic brand in endurance racing and we are delighted that they will join us full-time in the WEC next year. It will be exciting to watch Chevrolet battle with Ferrari and Porsche in the GTE Pro Manufacturers’ Championship and I have no doubt that the fans will love to see the Corvette C8.R in action out on track too.”
