Jan Lammers will return to Racing Team Nederland for his 24th Le Mans 24 Hours in June, joining Frits Van Eerd and Giedo van der Garde in the Dallara P217.
© Racing Team Nederland |
Racing Team Nederland earlier announced its entry to the 2018/2019 FIA World Endurance Championship "super season", which includes twice the Le Mans 24 Hours. Last season Lammers drove the entire European Le Mans Championship together with Frits Van Eerd and was joined by Rubens Barichello at Le Mans. Lammers will also join Van Eerd and van der Garde at the opening round at Spa-Francorchamps in May, whether he will continue to race with Racing Team Nederland after Le Mans is still unsure.
Jan Lammers (61) won the race in 1988 and with his 24th participation will become part of a highly select group; only 5 drivers have more starts to their name in the 95-years old Le Mans 24 Hours. Henri Pescarolo hold the all time "record" with 33 starts, ahead of Bob Wollek (30), Yojiro Terada (29), Derek Bell (26) and François Migault (25).
Frits van Eerd, founder as well as one of the drivers of Racing Team Nederland: “Jan is a true Le Mans legend and involved with Racing Team Nederland from day one. I think it is fantastic that he will join us this year for his 24th Le Mans 24 Hours. It will be a very special milestone.”
Jan Lammers: “Frits and Racing Team Nederland are giving me the chance to do my 24th Le Mans 24 Hours this June, which is really great! To be perfectly prepared, I will also join Frits and Giedo for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May, the opening round of the world championship. Frits owes it to his ambitions to gather the fastest drivers around him. I may still be quick “for my age”, but if after Le Mans a fast and young successor will be available, I will step back in the interest of the team and the results. I may have other opportunities to keep on racing after Le Mans, and of course I will remain closely involved with Racing Team Nederland. I can’t express how grateful I am for being given this chance!”
Jan Lammers will also feature as guest of honour at the annual Classic British Welcome on Friday before the race.
Kristof Vermeulen.