Briton to join ex-F1 drivers Webber, Davidson & Buemi in series
Monday 2 March 2015 08:36, UK
Former Marussia driver Max Chilton will switch to sportscar racing in 2015 after signing to drive for Nissan in the World Endurance Championship.
The 23-year-old Briton had been considering his options outside of F1 since Marussia went into administration and missed the final three races of last season and had already been testing for his former junior team Carlin in America to assist their preparations for a debut in Indy Lights.
Although the renamed Manor Marussia team are aiming to return to the grid at next week's Australian GP after finding new investment, the team have already announced one British driver in a race seat - Will Stevens - and Chilton has now confirmed his immediate future lies away from F1 after two seasons in the sport.
“I'm honoured to have been asked to join a manufacturer as prestigious as Nissan in a championship that is growing year on year,” said Chilton.
“Le Mans has always had an amazing following and to be racing there as a works driver is a dream come true. My aim has always been to race at the highest level and the technology that has gone into the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO is as impressive as a Formula 1 car.
“Having met with the team and seen first-hand the dedication and desire to win that exists within this project I can't wait to get on track."
The WEC already boasts a number of ex-F1 drivers in its roster, including Mark Webber and reigning series champions Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi, with Chilton one of nine confirmed drivers for Nissan's LM P1 programme.
Chilton, who is testing at Sebring in Florida this week, will make his debut in the WEC season opener at Silverstone on April 12, with his Le Mans 24 Hour bow to come in June.
