Sébastien Ogier confirmed for full FIA WEC campaign with Richard Mille Racing Team

Launched in 2020, the Richard Mille Racing Team will now enter its third season in endurance racing and second campaign in the FIA WEC with the No. 1 Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2 car. The team will rely on a new mixed driver line-up combining ambition, experience and talent.

WRC star Ogier will be joined by rising star in motorsport, Lilou Wadoux, the first female race winner in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup. Wadoux and Ogier will be joined by endurance racing talent, Charles Milesi who won three races with Team WRT last year including the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his debut WEC season. Milesi was also integral in helping the Belgian squad win the LMP2 teams’ championship last year, and was selected by the WEC in its annual “Rookie Test” to test Toyota’s Hypercar following the season-finale in Bahrain.

The Richard Mille Racing Team is replacing its driver line-up with a new trio combining ambition, experience and talent: eight-time world rally champion @SebOgier, @LWadouxD44, a rising star in motorsport and @Charles_Milesi, reigning champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans. pic.twitter.com/BMWIPvKARP

— Richard Mille (@Richard_Mille) January 31, 2022

Ogier, who has won a total of 54 WRC events, was also present in Bahrain to test the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar but Sebring will mark the Frenchman’s debut WEC race.

All three French drivers will be able to count on the experience of the Signatech team managed by Philippe Sinault, a structure that has won two world titles and three times the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 over the past six years.

Ogier commented: “Up until now, I have focused on my rally career, but it has been on my mind for a long time that endurance racing could be a good challenge. LMP2 is a fantastic category and the best way for me to reach the highest level of endurance racing and improve in this discipline. I am a novice for sure, but I want to enjoy myself while assessing what's possible and seeing how close I can get to the best. Everyone is excited about it. Charles, Lilou and I come from three different worlds, and it will be interesting to combine our different experiences with Richard Mille, who has been by my side for several years now. This adventure is enticing, but I am aware that I have a lot to learn and a lot of experience to gain. I have always had a good capacity to adapt in rallying, so I hope that this will also be true on race tracks!”

Philippe Sinault, Signatech Director and Team Manager, concluded: "We are delighted to continue this exciting adventure with the Richard Mille Racing Team. In all our projects, we have always had a people-oriented approach, and this trio fits perfectly with that spirit. Sébastien expressed his desire to try his hand at endurance racing, and he has tremendous experience in a specific area of our sport. He has a demanding nature, a culture of performance, a thirst for learning and humility that inspires us with confidence.”

The 2022 WEC season will get underway at Sebring, Flordia, in just over one month’s time with the Prologue followed by the 1000 Miles of Sebring (16-18 March).