WRT reveals first drivers for expanded 2022 WEC LMP2 programme

Ex-Formula 2 racer Sean Gelael's move to the team, predicted by Autosport last week after finishing runner-up in the WEC LMP2 points with Jota last year, has been confirmed.

The first driver announced for the Belgian squad's second ORECA-Gibson 07 is Angolan Rui Andrade, who won the Pro/Am LMP2 title in last year's European Le Mans Series with the G-Drive Racing squad.

This car will be run under the RealTeam by WRT banner as a result of a link-up with the Swiss entrant, which joined the WEC last year with the French TDS Racing squad.

RealTeam is moving up to the regular LMP2 category after competing last year in the Pro/Am sub-division, which mandates at least one bronze-rated driver in the car.

WRT boss Vincent Vosse described Gelael and Andrade, who will be the mandatory silver-ranked driver in their respective entries, as "two young talents on the LMP2 scene".

Gelael said: "I am super-excited to join Team WRT, with all their history and after such an amazing debut in [LMP2] sportscars where they clean-swept everything!

"I hope I can contribute this season to winning the title again: it’s my goal as well, after having come so close in fighting against Team WRT last year."

Andrade explained that he is "proud to represent my home country, Angola, at the highest level of sportscar racing".

"Stepping up to world championship level has been a dream of mine and what better way to do it than joining the reigning LMP2 champions and Le Mans 24 Hours winners," he said.

Realtime car that featured Loic Duval and Norman Nato in 2021 will now run under WRT fold with Andrade its first signing

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

RealTeam boss Esteban Garcia revealed that he is stepping down from driving duties this year as a result of his "professional agenda".

Gelael is likely to be rejoined by Stoffel Vandoorne and Tom Blomqvist on his move WRT from the British Jota team.

In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Jota confirmed that the trio would not be returning in 2022.

"It's with great sadness that we announce the departure of Sean Gelael, Stoffel Vandoorne and Tom Blomqvist from Jota," it said.

"We thank them all for their hard work and dedication throughout the last year. It's been a season we will look back at fondly, full of podiums and top tier racing. We wish them all the best for the future and look forward to battling with them back out on track."

Vosse has also outlined a desire to continue with Robin Frijns and Ferdinand Habsburg, who won the WEC title and Le Mans together with Charles Milesi.

Milesi's upgrade from silver to gold status for 2022 means that he will not be part of the WRT squad in the coming season.