Monday 5 February 2018

FIA WEC: Oreca builds "R13" LMP1 for Rebellion Racing

Rebellion Racing and Oreca confirmed their partnership for its return to the LMP1 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship this season. It's a continuation of a long time partnership between the team and the manufacturer, as Oreca also designed and built the Rebellion R-One and Rebellion won the 2017 LMP2 title with the Oreca 07.  

© Oreca/Rebellion

Several months ago, the French manufacturer began working on designing and manufacturing a new LMP1 car for the Swiss team, in addition to bringing operational support to Toyota Gazoo Racing.  

For Alexandre Pesci's men and his 10 year old quad it seemed natural to come back to LMP1 with the new regulations put in place by the ACO.  For a fifth year this is a true partnership set up between Rebellion Racing and Oreca.   

“To design this new LMP1 prototype is a wonderful challenge” said Hugues de Chaunac, CEO of the Oreca Group. “When the design bureau began developing the Oreca 07, we really wanted to move up to the next level, one step higher compared to the Oreca 05. The successes achieved last year really motivated and convinced us to now tackle this highly competitive main category. Fitted with an atmospheric engine, this LMP1 will face a hard task agains the Hybrid cars, but the Rebellion R13 will be a very determined challenger”. 

The new “Rebellion R13” will be equipped with a naturally aspirated Gibson engine and will be finalised shortly before the prologue for a first shakedown with Rebellion Racing's team members and drivers.  The car will probably be presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. 


Kristof Vermeulen.