V for Vector: LMP2’s Newest Team Aiming High
The newest LMP2 team to race in the WEC has many familiar faces within its pit box.....
While on paper Vector Sport was a new name in the WEC paddock at Sebring, in fact most of the faces were familiar.
The new-look squad, which is spearheaded by former JOTA team manager, Gary Holland, has significant ambition in LMP2 and has plenty of experience to draw upon.
But, as Holland himself said just prior to the start of the season “you don’t start running in this business before you’ve learned how to walk”. That alludes to the reality that LMP2 is arguably the toughest and most pound-for-pound competitive strand of motorsport in the world right now.
For one of Holland’s star signings, Nico Müller, the feelings in that regards are mutual. Twice a DTM runner-up, the Swiss ace has forged a reputation as a quick and hard-working professional as a factory Audi driver over several seasons.
The roots of his position at Vector stem from a close working relationship with Holland at the Dragon Formula E team from 2019 to 2021, and it is a partnership which Muller holds in high regard.
“I kind of understood quite early on already last year that Gary was looking at expanding his horizons a bit and doing something else besides Formula E, and it kind of took off from there,” Müller told fiawec.com.
“I believe in him especially, and I think when he gets on to something, normally, you can trust that it will be done properly.
“You know, setting up a new team in such a high level championship, and especially LMP2 which nowadays is obviously super competitive, a big challenge, but I was straight up ready for it and so is the whole team.”
Müller, who will be joined by the mega experienced Sebastien Bourdais from Spa onwards, forms a potent trio along with Ryan Cullen.
Cullen, the 2019 Daytona Rolex 24 Hours LMP2 winner, is the silver categorised lynchpin in the team and has clear ambitions for success in endurance racing over the coming years.
Müller leaves little doubt that the new Silverstone-based team with its strong driver axis can challenge for strong results in its maiden WEC campaign, but that these aims will inevitably take a little time.
“I think once we all gel more, and we have, let's say, a proper base to work off from, I think we can definitely do very well as we already have a very strong line-up,” says Müller.
“It's also a nice combination of experiences, experience that is coming together from the driving side and having slightly different backgrounds.
“I'm convinced that we can be up there, but I'm not expecting us to fight for the win every weekend this season that's for sure. But we what we want to be up there with the big boys and hopefully be fighting a top five in these endurance races
“We have to put ourselves into that position for the next few events. I'm confident we can get there soon.”
