Delta-ADR firms up 2014 WEC return plans
World Endurance Championship LMP2 frontrunner Delta-ADR has firmed up its return to the series in 2014 with the first of a projected two cars
Delta-ADR, which has won LMP2 in four of the seven WEC rounds so far this year, has signed a long-term deal with Millennium Development, a Dubai-based group that is investing in motorsport and new automotive technologies.
The deal has been brokered by sportscar veteran Fabien Giroix, who will be the silver-rated driver in the Millennium-backed ORECA-Nissan 03 next season.
Delta-ADR team manager Simon Dowson said: "It is good to get a deal sorted out for next year, so early. It means I can enjoy my Christmas dinner."
Giroix, who ran his own Gulf Racing Middle East squad in the WEC up to this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, said: "This team is the showroom for Millennium.
"I have been working on this deal for a long time, but I decided before Le Mans that if the race did not go well I would stop my own team.
"My problem was that I was the team owner, the team manager, the engineer, the marketing guy — and the driver.
"Now I want to concentrate on driving and go for the championship."
Giroix explained that the Millennium team could potentially expand to two cars and, if this happens, former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Stefan Johansson will be the silver driver in the second entry.
Dowson explained that he was still in negotiation with Russian oil supplier G-Drive and its drive, Roman Rusinov, about continuing their relationship into next season.
"It is not clear what is going to happen there, but the plan is definitely to run two cars, because it doubles your chances," said Dowson.
The Millennium deal will be begin at this year's WEC finale in Bahrain on November 30.
Giroix will drive the second Delta-ADR ORECA together with Brits Craig Dolby and Robbie Kerr, who have respectively undertaken one and two races with the team so far this season.
It has yet to be decided who will partner Giroix next season.
The Millennium Delta-ADR ORECA is also scheduled to contest the Sebring 12 Hours round of the United SportsCar Championship next March and could potentially take in further rounds.
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