The Formula V8 3.5 in support of the WEC in 2017

After taking over from the former Formula Renault 3.5 at the start of the year, after the withdrawal of Renault Sport, RPM Racing will continue the development of its championship Formula V8 3.5 in 2017.

The series car will see six of its nine 2017 events contested alongside the races of the World ChampionshipEndurance WEC. Focused on Europe in 2016, the Formula V8 3.5 will therefore open up internationally with meetings organized at least in Mexico, Japan and Bahrain, in addition to three of the four European WEC events: Silverstone in Great Britain, Spa in Belgium and the Nürburgring in Germany.

“Racing in the same events with the official teams of renowned brands such as Toyota, Audi, Porsche and Ferrari, Aston Martin, Ford and Corvette, will allow our talented drivers to show their skills in front of a prestigious audience, comments Jaime Alguersuari Sr, president of RPM. Therefore, making an effort to reach an agreement between the WEC and RPM was definitely worth it. »

The link between the two championships, in addition to the media coverage, will materialize in a prize for the first three in the single-seater championship, who will be able to obtain a test during the Bahrain Rookie Tests in LM P1, LM P2 and GTE.

“This championship has demonstrated for many years its appeal and its exciting character, while at the same time providing many great champions, specifies Gérard Neveu, director general of the WEC.

It makes sense to offer this new generation access to a well-established championship like the WEC. The fact that the champions will have the opportunity to take part in the official FIA WEC rookie test at the end of the season will be an added motivation and goal for everyone on the grid. »

If the field brought together eight teams at the start of the championship, with the withdrawal of certain flagship teams such as DAMS which refocused their forces on GP2 / GP3, there is no doubt that this announcement should once again attract European teams, but also potential new structures more international.