GP3 race-winner Alesi in running for G-Drive ELMS LMP2 seat
Giuliano Alesi, son of Formula 1 grand prix winner Jean, has emerged as a contender for a G-Drive Racing LMP2 seat in the 2018 European Le Mans Series
The Russian entrant gave the Ferrari F1 Academy driver and GP3 race-winner a try-out aboard an ORECA-Gibson 07 LMP2 at Aragon this week in its search for a silver-rated driver as part of a reshuffle of its ELMS line-up
G-Drive technical director David Leach told Autosport: "He's a young kid with a lot of potential: he went very well considering his level of experience and that it was his first time in a car with that level of performance.
"He's a candidate for the ELMS, along with anyone else who is a silver or a potential silver."
The team, which is partnered with TDS Racing, also gave ELMS regular Andrea Pizzitola a try-out over the course of the Dunlop tyre test at Aragon.
Leach did not rule out testing further silver drivers as G-Drive looks fill the vacancy alongside ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne and Roman Rusinov, who puts together the Russian oil company's motorsport programmes.
The team has decided to stand down Matthieu Vaxiviere, who was initially part of a controversial all-pro line-up entered for the series.
G-Drive was looking to exploit a new rule inserted into the ELMS sporting rules this year, which allowed teams to apply for dispensation to run driver line-ups outside of the regulatory requirements.
The rules demand that each LMP2 entry in both the ELMS and the World Endurance Championship must include a silver or bronze-rated driver.
Leach said that G-Drive was making a change for the "good of the championship".
"In the interests of everyone, we have agreed with the ACO and the ELMS that we will run a silver," he explained.
"The regulation is there and as a team you always want to do what is best for you, but there is a bigger story.
"G-Drive has been committed to ACO championships since 2012 and we want to do what is best for everyone and have a healthy relationship with our competitors."
G-Drive is also taking in the Le Mans 24 Hours and Spa WEC rounds for which Vaxiviere was never available.
Vaxiviere will be on duty in the LMP2 ORECA entered under TDS's own name alongside Loic Duval and Francois Perrodo.
Long-time Audi driver Duval will be forced to miss this year's Spa and Fuji rounds in May and September respectively courtesy of clashes with the DTM.
Former Rebellion Racing LMP1 driver Alexandre Imperatori, who has gold status, was also given a run by G-Drive at Aragon.
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