Prema ORLEN Team announces 2022 FIA WEC line-up
Prema ORLEN Team is delighted to announce its line-up for the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship. Making its debut in sportscar racing, the team will campaign one brand-new Oreca 05 LMP2 racecar in collaboration with established GT operation Iron Lynx. The campaign will include the trip to Le Mans for the 90th edition of the legendary 24-hour race at Circuit de la Sarthe.
In an effort to replicate the success achieved in single-seaters, the team will rely on a high-potential trio consisting of reigning ELMS Champions Robert Kubica and Louis Delétraz, and the promising Lorenzo Colombo, who will make the step from single-seater racing this season.
For Kubica, joining Prema ORLEN Team in 2022 will be a welcome return. The 37-year-old Pole raced for the Italian outfit in 2003, at the beginning of a monumental career that led to 99 Formula 1 starts including one win and a pole position. In 2021, Kubica made a successful jump to endurance racing, winning three races out of six ELMS events and leading a good portion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Swiss 24-year-old Delétraz debuted in endurance racing in 2020 while still competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Later the same year, he entered his first 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fourth overall. His successful 2021 ELMS run then added up to the honors achieved throughout a brilliant career in single-seaters.
After claiming third place in the 2017 Italian Formula 4 Championship, Colombo scored six Eurocup Formula Renault wins. Last year, he raced in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with one win to his credit. In 2022, he will move to uncharted territory to make the next step in his professional career.
Lorenzo Colombo
“I’m glad to join in the highest level of racing in terms of endurance championships with Prema ORLEN Team! Lots of new stuff to learn regarding my side, but I do feel very confident about the team and teammates I’ll be sharing the car with. I’m sure they will help me to extract everything I’ve got and become more professional as a racing driver. I simply can’t wait to get it started and deliver my best to get important results for everyone!”
Louis Delétraz
“I am delighted to join Prema ORLEN Team for the 2022 FIA WEC. There is no need to introduce the team, I raced against them many years at the highest level of single seaters and the success they’ve had speaks for itself. The team has a lot to learn from endurance but we have big ambitions, talented people and a lot of motivation. Teaming up with Robert after our 2021 ELMS title is fantastic and Lorenzo joining us too. I look forward to the season together.”
Robert Kubica
“I am happy to join Prema ORLEN Team. I already raced with them in the 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series. I know the Rosin family and a few key people from then, and although a lot of time has passed, we all know from single seaters that the team is extremely competitive. It is a new challenge for the team and for me as well since I only raced in three FIA WEC events last year, Le Mans and the two Bahrain events. I’m happy to work with Louis, who I know from last year’s ELMS and Le Mans, and Lorenzo. I’m looking forward to this challenge which will require a lot of work and dedication. Hopefully we will be able to start the season strong, without major issues. We have a lot to focus on in front of us and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Rene Rosin – Team Principal
“Starting such an outstanding new endeavor with so much potential available does not happen often, and I have to say that the prospect of racing in the World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is incredibly exciting. I am proud of the amount of work the team got done in the time available, and I am extremely confident that our driver line-up will rise to the occasion. It is amazing to have Robert joining Prema ORLEN Team, and with Louis, we have probably one of the strongest pairings available. In addition, we look forward to working with Lorenzo. We know him from single-seaters as one of the most interesting prospects around, and I am sure that he will climb his rookie learning curve very, very quickly.”
2022 FIA World Endurance Championship Schedule
March 12/13, 2022 – Sebring Prologue
March 18, 2022 – 1000 Miles of Sebring
May 7, 2022 – 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
June 11/12, 2022 – 24 Hours of Le Mans
July 10, 2022 – 6 Hours of Monza
September 11th, 2022 – 6 Hours of Fuji
November 11th, 2022 – 8 Hours of Bahrain
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing