Nicolas Lapierre will join Cool Racing in 2019

Seen this season on the Oreca 07 – DragonSpeed ​​in ELMS, Nicolas lapierre will return to this championship in 2019, but the Frenchman will change teams for the next European campaign, signing up with the Cool racing.

The structure of Team Principal Patrick Barbier will move up a notch in 2019, after having competed in the ELMS in LM P3 as well as the Michelin Le Mans Cup this season. Nicolas Lapierre will be lined up alongside Alexandre Coigny and Antonin Borga.

Lapierre is coming off another busy season, with its program in WEC with Signatech Alpine, marked by a new success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LM P2.

“I am really very happy to welcome a driver of Nicolas Lapierre’s level, says Patrick Barbier. First of all, he is someone who, on a human level, corresponds very well to the state of mind of the team. In addition, he has a lot of experience, is very professional and knows the Oreca 07 very well.

I must admit that I did not think I would have a driver of this caliber in my team so soon. Nicolas will, without a doubt, be a major asset in the progression of the team and the drivers! »

“It’s a really interesting challenge. comments for his part Lapierre. Cool Racing has been in constant progress for several years. My role will be to continue to help them progress in this very tough LMP2 championship.

The program is interesting, the team and the drivers want to learn. Supporting this structure which has no experience in this LMP2 category is really what motivates me. I know the competitors, the drivers, the chassis and the different tires in ELMS well.

It’s interesting to be able to provide them with this know-how. In addition, they are giving themselves the means to succeed with tests starting Monday, then at the end of the season and also at the start of the year. I’m excited to start this new challenge! »

Cool Racing will not abandon the Michelin Le Mans Cup next year, by fielding three Ligier JS P3s in the series to allow drivers from the Mitjet and Carrera Cup to practice their endurance racing.

The team is due to take the first laps of its new Oreca tomorrow in Portugal, following the ELMS final.