Akkodis ASP Team has revealed the identities of its two ‘Bronze’ drivers for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, as the French outfit bids to maintain the momentum of a breakthrough campaign in the series’ fiercely-contested LMGT3 category.
Running a pair of Lexus RC Fs, Akkodis improved from 16th and 18th in the standings in 2024 to third and ninth this year – making the team by some margin the biggest mover in the 18-strong field. Along the way, there were a brace of pole positions and a maiden victory achieved by the #87 car in São Paulo, backed up by a second success in the season finale in Bahrain.
Akkodis returnee Esteban Masson (#78) – who last competed in the championship at Imola back in April, reaching the rostrum in third place – and two-time world champion José María López (#87) were already confirmed as the squad’s two ‘Pro’ drivers as part of the official entry list released last week.
The Argentine ace will continue to be partnered by Petru Umbrărescu (#87) – the first Romanian driver to win a race in FIA WEC – reuniting at least two-thirds of the crew that finished third in the title table last season, while the Frenchman will be flanked by new recruit Tom Van Rompuy, who joins the fold from TF Sport.
The versatile Belgian made history in 2024 by securing the first pole position in LMGT3 history. A seasoned endurance racer, Van Rompuy brings with him extensive experience from both GT and prototype racing, including stints in the GT World Challenge Europe, European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series.
In FIA WEC’s most recent campaign, the 38-year-old Antwerp native won at Fuji and scooped the runner-up spoils at Interlagos en route to fifth spot in the LMGT3 Drivers’ classification. He subsequently enjoyed an initial taste of the Lexus during the annual Rookie Test. Akkodis’ remaining two drivers will be announced shortly.
The battle for honours in 2026 will begin with a ten-hour contest in Qatar on 28 March, followed by races at Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, Interlagos, COTA and Fuji, building up to the traditional eight-hour finale in Bahrain.
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