Fassler, Primat lead all-Swiss assault

Fassler was left without a DTM drive when Opel withdrew from the series at the end of last year, however he will now drive with Primat in a Courage LMP1 in the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours itself, subject to the team gaining an entry.

The team, known as Swiss Spirit, will attempt help the first Swiss driver to win the famous endurance event. It will be run by former World Series by Renault entrant Serge Saulnier, who has sold his team to Tech 1 Racing.

Saulnier said: "Today is a great moment for me and for Switzerland. This program is a new start for our organisation as we move away from single-seater formulae towards prototypes and endurance racing. If we can get an entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours, it will be the achievement of a life-long dream.

"Harold is a fast and reliable driver and he has absolutely the right profile for an endurance racer. Marcel Fassler is one of the fastest Swiss drivers around and has always been at the top of my list."

Fassler reckons a top five finish in the 24 hours race is possible for the new team.

"I am convinced that we can have a good race at Le Mans - if we receive an entry!," he said. "The aim is to finish in the top-five, which would be a major result for our first year."