From the “no surprise this is actually happening” file, Juan Pablo Montoya has been confirmed to test one of the Porsche 919 Hybrids later this year in Bahrain, the manufacturer confirmed on Tuesday.
Montoya will test on November 22 at Bahrain, a day after the FIA World Endurance Championship season finale.
It was always destined to happen after Montoya was a guest of Porsche Team during the FIA WEC round at Circuit of The Americas last month.
Porsche posted a photo on Twitter today of Montoya having a seat fit, and Montoya also shared a view from the cockpit himself.
Welcome at the wheel of #Porsche919Hybrid. @jpmontoya is having his seat fit for the Bahrain test on Nov 22 @fiawec pic.twitter.com/9E9aSBYXXP
— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) October 20, 2015
Nice view today while doing my seat fitting for the test at Bahrain. @PorscheRaces
— Juan Pablo Montoya (@jpmontoya) October 20, 2015
#919 pic.twitter.com/KxmxFxhSm7
Montoya seems a logical replacement for Nico Hulkenberg at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, as Hulkenberg is currently ruled out of racing due to the Formula 1 clash with the first European Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan the same weekend, June 18-19.
IndyCar, when it releases its 2016 schedule, is projected to have that weekend open.
The Detroit IndyCar race on June 5 clashes with the Le Mans Test Day, but as a Platinum-rated driver, Montoya could complete his requisite laps to participate in a practice session if need be. Kevin Estre, who was a Le Mans rookie this year, was able to exercise that option.