Alex Lynn is ready for his endurance racing baptism this weekend at Fuji as he gets set to become another in a long line of world class FIA WEC Young Guns.
The British driver has carved out a stellar reputation in single-seater racing over the last five seasons and has dovetailed a full GP2 season this year with the DAMS team whilst also being the official test and development driver for the Williams F1 squad.
“I’m really looking forward to doing the last three rounds with Manor,” confirmed Lynn. “It will be my first experience of sportscar racing and it is all very exciting.”
“Without doubt the FIA World Endurance Championship is at the highest level of motorsport so it is a target to be racing here no matter where you have been competing,” he continued. “From my side, it is definitely being considered for my future and that is why it is important for me to get involved in these last few races.
Lynn will be partnered in the No.45 Manor ORECA 05-Nissan by experienced endurance campaigner Shinji Nakano and Tor Graves this weekend.
“One of the good things is having Shinji (Nakano) as a teammate because he knows Fuji and he has a lot of prototype experience,” said Lynn. “So he will probably start in Free Practice tomorrow and be my first reference and then as a team and with the other car too we can look at a lot of data and feedback and go forward in the right direction. Hopefully we will be as a competitive as possible out there.”
“Sharing a car is a new experience for me so that is why I am looking forward to getting the full experience of team work in LMP2. I am here to learn a lot and we will be aiming for a good result.”
Lynn has been advised and mentored for several years by former double Le Mans winner and FIA WEC race winner Alex Wurz. It is a relationship which Lynn is quick to acknowledge as an important one in his racing journey.
“Alex (Wurz) has been a big part of my career for the last few years and sportscar racing has been his domain for the last few years since he left F1. From many points he has been a big help and influence.”
Lynn has won many fans in GP3, where he was champion in 2014, and also in GP2 where he has won races in the last two seasons. Now, the 23 year-old will be hoping to turn heads in the ultra-competitive world of the FIA WEC.
Sam Smith
