Frenchwomen up-and-coming sportscar stars Lilou Wadoux and Doriane Pin have been selected to take part in the next WEC rookie test in Bahrain: Wadoux will be the first woman to drive a Hypercar, while Pin will get behind the wheel of an LMP2 Oreca for the first time.
21-year-old Lilou Wadoux is set to make history by becoming the first ever woman to drive a Hypercar at the upcoming WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain. Lilou, currently in her first season in WEC at the wheel of the #1 Richard Mille Racing Team LMP2 Oreca, might be in her rookie campaign in endurance racing, but has already shown plenty of potential. With several top-10 in class to her name - as well as a top-ten in her maiden Le Mans 24H participation - Wadoux is among the four selected drivers that will take part in the 13th November test in Bahrain. The four young drivers were selected by the FIA World Endurance Championship organisation based on performance, race skills and commitment, the statement reads. "I am very happy to have been selected" - said Wadoux. "Just a year ago, I took part in the Bahrain Rookie Test in LMP2 with Richard Mille, while I was racing in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup." "It was a big step in my career because I suddenly found myself driving a prototype" - she continued. "I learned a lot and now I have a new opportunity with a new test, but this time at the steering wheel of a Hypercar. It's a dream come true and I'm delighted." Each driver will have at least 30 laps in the class-championship winning car. This means that Lilou will get to drive either the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 - Hybrid or Alpine Elf Team A480 – Gibson, as both manufacturers are still in contention for the Hypercar class championship ahead of the Bahrain final round. "On a personal level, I am proud to show that women can reach the highest level of motorsport. I hope that my example will inspire young girls to follow this path.” Lilou is in fact also going to be the first woman to drive a car in the premier endurance racing category since 2011, when Vanina Ickx drove the Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 machine.
But Lilou Wadoux will not be the only female racer invited to the 2022 FIA WEC Rookie Test, as equally impressive compatriot Doriane Pin, 18, will get her first taste of LMP2 machinery.
Pin has been dominant in this year's Ferrari Challenge Europe Pirelli Trophy, and was promoted by Iron Lynx/Iron Dames to the main line-up in selected events in WEC, ELMS and was part of the historic victory at the 24H of Spa in GT World Challenge.
Having been chosen by the series' organisation for the LMP2 Rookie Test, Doriane will get behind the wheel of the championship-winning Oreca on the Sunday after the final round of the season.
“I’m delighted that as part of the Iron Dames I have been selected by FIA WEC to test an LMP2 car at the end of the season in Bahrain for the Rookie Test." - said Doriane.
“So far it has been a great season for me and I’m very excited to try out a car I’ve never driven before."
“It is really important to demonstrate to young women like me that they can have a career in motorsport, and that if you have a dream and are prepared to work hard, your dreams can come true." - she continued.
The driver from Paris made her first appearance in WEC at the 6H of Spa and is set to race the next 4H of Spa in ELMS.
It will be her first time in a LMP2 prototype, having only raced GT3 and GTE Ferraris so far.
“The LMP2 car is a completely different beast to the GT cars I’ve driven so far! And it is vital for young talent to gain as much experience of different types of race cars. I am very grateful to FIA WEC and would like to thank them for this opportunity!”
As part of the programme, Lorenzo Colombo will drive the LMGTE Pro winning car, while 17-year-old German Finn Gehrsitz - the youngest driver in the Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 - will pilot either the #33 TF Sport or #98 Northwest AMR Aston Martin Vantage AMR.
In 2021, several women were part of the WEC Rookie Test: W Series top two finishers Jamie Chadwick and Alice Powell joined Lilou Wadoux at the wheel of the Richard Mille Racing Team's LMP2 Oreca, while Sophia Floersch tested in the championship winning Team WRT LMP2.
