Corvette Racing crews for 2023 revealed, Keating promoted

No respite for Corvette Racing. A few days after publishing the first images of the Corvette Z06 GT3, expected in competition for 2024, the Detroit brand formalizes its plans for the coming season in Endurance. For the second year in a row, the yellow cars will be present on the two major fronts of sport, in IMSA and in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

ALSO READ > First image of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R on track

It is in WEC that the biggest change takes place. Already present in long-term events in IMSA, Nicky Catsburg is promoted full-time in the GTE Am category, due to the disappearance of the GTE Pro class at the end of 2022. The Dutchman will be supported by one of the most efficient gentlemen drivers from the field, the American Ben Keating, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in GTE Am class with Aston Martin and TF Sport in June 2022.

Going to be another big year for @TeamChevy #Corvette Racing around the world in 2023 as we announce our lineups:
➡️ @IMSA: @AntonioGarcia_3 + @jordan10taylor + @TommyMilner
➡️ @FIAWEC: @nickcatsburg + @keatingcarguy + TBC#C8R #Z06 #IMSA #WEC pic.twitter.com/CAme43mvky

— Corvette Racing (@CorvetteRacing) October 18, 2022

A third driver remains to be determined. “The WEC is a cool program, itconfirmed Nicky Catsburg. You get the opportunity to travel all over the world and race on some of the biggest circuits. Ben (Keating) is the best Bronze driver at the moment and he regularly performs very well. I will miss the GTE Pro because it was a lot of fun to be part of the official teams race at Le Mans. But I can't wait to start working with Ben. I have seen him for several years and he always does a fantastic job. I can not wait to be there. It's a place every pilot wants to be. »

His new teammate is filled with joy. “As I was teammates with Jeroen Bleekemolen for several years and they are both Dutch, Nicky was always around in the past! So I always felt a good connection with him. Even though we were never teammates, I followed him very closely. I remember he tested a Corvette for the first time at Le Mans, and I wasn't surprised to see him set the fastest time in a GTE of all the competitors during the test day! It's exciting to watch ride. He is extremely fast, he knows all the WEC circuits and I get along very well with him. I'm super excited to team up with him. »

Only one car in IMSA

On the IMSA side, a trio of official drivers will share the wheel of a C8.R in the GTD class. Already reunited previously, Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia will welcome Tommy Milner, who was sent to the WEC in 2022.

Corvette Racing will have a lot to do in the United States, after having experienced one of the most difficult campaigns in their 25 years of existence (3rd in GTD Pro all the same). “I must say that this season has been very difficult and challenging, perhaps more than in previous years, said House veteran Antonio Garcia. Still, I think we learned a lot as drivers and as a team in a new category, and we can use those lessons to be better in 2023.”

Tommy Milner will also be responsible for carrying out the development program for the GT3 version. “I haven't driven much in my career with Jordan or Antonio (a victory at Le Mans in GTE Pro with each of them. Editor’s note). But when I did, we had success. I'm always excited to drive with these two guys. They're obviously great drivers and great teammates, and they've been for a long time. I've raced against them quite often, so it'll be fun to be their teammate for once.

The development process of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R will be interesting. I did a bit with the C7.R and C8.R. It's different from competing, of course, but it can be a rewarding process in itself. »

Le Britannique Nick Tandy fait les frais de ce remaniement et ne figure plus parmi les pilotes officiels Corvette Racing. Le vainqueur des 24 Heures du Mans avec Porsche en 2015 pourrait se retourner vers la marque allemande en LMDh en 2023.