IN PICTURES – The new GTP – LMDh being tested at Road Atlanta

This is a first taste of what the GTP will look like next season, in IMSA. On the track of Road Atlanta, who saw the success and crowning glory of Meyer Shank Racing at the end of Petit Le Mans, three of the four manufacturers entered for 2023 were able to carry out tests with their new LMDh. BMW, Acura and Cadillac responded, alone Porsche did not ride Monday in Georgia. The opportunity to see the new mounts in action and on the track at the same time, with valuable running before the first deadline at the 24 Hours of Daytona, in January 2023. Tests are also planned for this Tuesday and Wednesday.

For BMW, it was Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly and Augusto Farfus – three of the four BMW M Team RLL drivers confirmed for next season in the GTP category, who completed several laps at the Braselton circuit. They were joined by Marco Wittmann to participate in these tests. The German-American team had to urgently repair its car to be ready on Monday, after a crash during its previous test at Watkins Glen.

Work focused on the reliability of LMDh

On the Cadillac side, four drivers are present to run the American prototype: Pipo Derani, Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Sébastien Bourdais. “We focused on sustainability, meaning putting as many miles on the car as possible, said Laura Wontrop Klauser, racing program manager for the General Motors group. We have a lot of integration work with the engine, the hybrid and the electronic braking system. You also need to understand the tires and make sure the driver experience is great, so they feel confident pushing the car to its limits in races. »

Finally, for the two Acura LMDhs, Tom Blomqvist and Matt McMurry ride in the No. 60 of Meyer Shank Racing, while Felipe Albuquerque, Brendon Hartley, Louis Delétraz and Ricky Taylor are present in the No. 10 of Wayne Taylor Racing.

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