Nissan rules out FIA WEC LMP1 return in 2015 - MotorSportsTalk

Nissan has confirmed that it will not return to the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship until 2016 as its extensive testing and development programme continues.

The Japanese manufacturer embarked on a three-car assault at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June with its unique Nissan GT-R LM NISMO runner, but encountered a myriad of problems that saw none of the trio end the race as classified finishers.

Nissan had been due to take part in the next race, the 6 Hours of Nürburgring in July, but announced that it would be delaying its return to LMP1 until the technical issues had been resolved.

In a statement issued on Thursday, it was confirmed that it will now be focusing on making a comeback for the 2016 FIA WEC season while testing continued.

“Nissan today announced that the innovative Nissan GT-R LM NISMO will return to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2016,” the statement reads.

“The team has been working hard to address the technical issues faced at Le Mans in June and is in the middle of a comprehensive test and development programme to prepare the new car to race against the tough competition it faces in the LMP1 class.”

The team is sticking with its original design plan for the GT-R LM NISMO, but has made a change in its race operation as Michael Carcamo joins as team principal in place of Ben Bowlby.

“Ben had his hands full trying to do everything, managing the design and build but also the race and test operation,” Carcamo, formerly of Nissan Mexico, said. “That’s a lot to ask anyone to do, especially with a concept that requires this level of development.

“My knowledge of Nissan engineering processes and project planning experience will help Ben and the team concentrate on making the car deliver on its promise.

“The challenge that we took on was a monumental task. We have to learn all of the dynamics of this new vehicle and all the performance tuning so it takes a long time to find the sweet spot of performance.

“We recognise that challenge and we’ve added the resources and infrastructure behind the programme to try and bring it to that next level.”

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Ryan Hunter-Reay was named to replace Conor Daly in Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet, starting in the NTT IndyCar Series event next week at Road America.

Hunter-Reay is the 2012 series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner. He finished 11th for Dreyer & Reinbold last month in the 107th Indy 500, his first start since the 2021 season finale. He drove full time for Andretti Autosport from 2010-21.

“We need to improve our competitiveness and I wanted to add a fresh perspective from a driver like Ryan who has a massive amount of experience and success as well as a reputation as a team leader. I am excited to welcome Ryan to the team,” team owner Ed Carpenter said in a team release. “We have worked together in the past as teammates and he tested for ECR at Barber Motorsports Park in October 2021, where he made an immediate impact as we were able to qualify one of our cars on the pole following that test. I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset to ECR as we move forward toward our goals as a team.”

Hunter-Reay has 18 IndyCar victories, most recently in 2018. He also is a winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having been a part of winning entries in the 2020 Twelve Hours of Sebring and 2018 Petit Le Mans. Last year, he was an endurance driver for Cadillac Racing while being on standby for Chip Ganassi Racing.

He replaces Daly, whose departure was announced a day earlier in what the driver and team said was a mutual decision.

“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed,” Hunter-Reay said in a team release. “He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help. Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BITNILE.COM.

“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world. Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT IndyCar Series car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber. However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BITNILE.COM, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”

Said Milton “Todd” Ault, the chairman of sponsor BitNile.com: “It is great for BitNile.com to be aligned with an Indy 500 Winner and an NTT IndyCar Series champion. I have followed Ryan’s career for years and I am confident he will challenge the entire ECR team to perform at higher levels. I wish everyone luck at Road America.”