Antonio Giovinazzi is one of three drivers who has been selected to drive in the second, official World Endurance Championship rookie test of the 2016 season at the Bahrain International Circuit in November.
Giovinazzi along with Brazilian Pipo Derani and American Gustavo Menezes will be given the opportunity to test LMP1 machinery with either Audi, Porsche or Toyota.
The three of the prototype manufacturers will test at least one LMP1 car on November 20, one day after the 6 hours of Bahrain, each of the drivers chosen will be given the opportunity to complete at least 30 laps with one manufacturer.
GP2 series championship leader Giovinazzi made his WEC debut this weekend at the 6 Hours of Fuji with ESM and has been selected to test the Audi R18.
22-year-old Menezes has been a standout performer for Signatech-Alpine in his rookie season and will test the Porsche 919 Hybrid whilst Derani will test the Toyota TS050 HYBRID.
Pierre Fillon, President of the AOC, explained in greater detail to why these three drivers were selected for the test in Bahrain.
“Of the many candidates we considered for selection, these three have shown both outstanding performances and great potential which we considered merited the test drives in Bahrain,” Fillon explained.
“Pipo’s excellent performances for ESM in the USA at the start of the year backed up an impressive 2015 WEC season and some extraordinary podium-gaining feats in 2016.
“Antonio is relatively new to endurance racing, compared to the other two, but he has shown a talent for it which cannot be ignored and has the potential for a long future with us should he choose it, while Gustavo has been consistently impressive in the Signatech Alpine this season alongside more experienced teammates. We congratulate them on their selection and we wish them every success at the test.”
