As part of their prize for winning the 2016 European Le Mans Series LMP3 class, the drivers of the no2 United Autosports Ligier JS P3-Nissan were invited to the FIA World Endurance Championship test in Bahrain to test the Manor Oreca 05-Nissan LMP2 car on the 5.4km circuit.
Mike Guasch and Alex Brundle took part in the test runs, with Christian England unable to fly out to Bahrain. It was only the American’s second time in a LMP2 car, having tested at Daytona on Wednesday before flying out to Bahrain. Brundle has plenty of experience in LMP2 after winning three times in the WEC this year with G-Drive Racing, including the 6 Hours of Bahrain held on Saturday evening.
We caught up with Mike Guasch after his final run in the Oreca 05 to find out how he got on driving the LMP2 car in Bahrain.
“The test went really well. It’s my second time in a P2 car, I tested in Daytona last week and now I have tested the Oreca here. It was difficult for me because I have never been here before and I had to learn the track. This is a very technical track, it’s a lot more difficult than it looks on video. I think my speed was good. Compared to last nights race pace for bronze and silver drivers, I would’ve been competitive. So I am really happy with it. The plan is to keep testing; I don’t really know where I am going to land in 2017. I know I am going to do the four big endurance races in the States and then I will see what I can get together for the ELMS.
“Compared to the LMP3 car the P2 is faster, of course, the brakes are far better and it has tons more grip in the corners. You have to learn to trust this car. LMP3 is a great training ground. I ran LMPC but LMP3 is even more together as it is a closed cockpit. It is the perfect stepping stone for LMP2. I really enjoyed the experience today in Bahrain.”
