Albuquerque, López, Palou… The Daytona tests are full

Among the field of drivers present at the pre-season tests of theIMSA at Daytona on Tuesday December 7 and Wednesday December 8, Filipe Albuquerque confirmed to us that he is returning for another season with the Wayne Taylor Racing team alongside Ricky Taylor. The duo will be accompanied, like last year, by Alexander Red for the 24 Hours of Daytona where testing is taking place this week. A fourth still remains to be announced for the opening round of the championship to replace Helio Castroneves. The Indy 500 title holder will indeed drive for Meyer Shank Racing next season after his stint at Petit Le Mans at the end of the year. According to our information, the profile of Romain Grosjean would be considered by the American team to occupy this seat in Florida on January 29 and 30. 

At Daytona, the Acura DPi wearing the number 10 will defend its title after winning last year ahead of the No. 48 Cadillac DPi (Johnson, Kobayashi, Pagenaud, Rockenfeller). “As always we have to wait until the race to know exactly everyone’s pace”, the Portuguese pilot confided to us. With three victories, Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor came close to the title last year, only being dethroned from the top of the standings by Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani (Whelen Engineering) during the last event at Road Atlanta.

THREE IN A ROW!!!!

The No. 10 @KonicaMinoltaUS Acura ARX-05 team has won the 59th Running of the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA. #ReshapeWork // #KMSports // # Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/KkD5rThCzv

— Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (@WTRAndretti) January 31, 2021

López, Palou, Ericsson also in testing

José Maria López was also spotted at the International Speedway. The Argentinian, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World ChampionshipEndurance with the Toyota nº7, était en effet présent avec Ally Cadillac Racing en compagnie de Jimmie Johnson et Mike Rockenfeller, en prélude de ce qui pourrait être une première apparition dans le championnat nord-américain pour le pilote de 38 ans. À savoir s’il rejoindra ou non son habituel équipier dans la structure japonaise en WEC, Kamui Kobayashi.

The Japanese, at the wheel of the American prototype last year, was not at the tests, probably held back by the annual Toyota event organized at the start of the week and where he was announced in a principal team role in addition to his pilot status. To know if this will have an impact on its commitment to the United States. Some regulars of theIndyCar Also invited to the party were the champion Alex Palou. The 24-year-old Spaniard was present with Chip Ganassi Racing alongside Marcus Ericsson. Three drivers have already been announced at CGR with Sébastien Bourdais, Earl Bamber and Alexander Lynn.

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