The DragonSpeed LMP2 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) line-up of Pastor Maldonado, Anthony Davidson and Roberto Gonzalez will switch to Jota Sport from 2019/20 season.
After the announcement of DragonSpeed dropping its LMP1 effort and reducing its LMP2 outings to Spa-Francorchamps, Sao Paulo and Le Mans (if invited) for 2019/20 WEC superseason, their drivers have decided to switch to Jota Sport instead.
While it will be Gonzalez’s third WEC season, rookie Maldonado will enter in his second year with Davidson being the senior-most with eight years already in his kitty – although it will be the British racer’s first full year in LMP2 after joining DragonSpeed mid-way in 2018/19.
He replaced Nathanael Berthon as the new pairing then secured their first LMP2 class win in 6 Hours of Silverstone amid a fruitful year as Maldonado/Gonzalez sit third in the LMP2 drivers’ standings with 117 points and Davidson in fifth overall with 83.
Meanwhile, Jota Sport will continue using the Oreca 07 Gibson car as they currently field two of them through the Jackie Chan DC Racing outfit, who haven’t yet finalised their 2019/20 superseason racing programme as.
“We are delighted to welcome Roberto, Pastor and Anthony to Jota for our next campaign which looks set to be the most exciting for us yet in the WEC,” said Jota Sport team principal Sam Hignett.
“Recent races have shown all three to have already moulded a potent and race winning combination, so we believe that this can be harnessed to really mount a strong force for the new WEC season.”
Former Toyota LMP1 driver Davidson said: “I am really looking forward to be heading into a full FIA World Endurance Championship season with JOTA – together with Roberto and Pastor as my teammates.
“We have enjoyed success together as car crew and hopefully this new partnership will see us fighting for more race wins and the Championship in LMP2.” Maldonado added: “It feels super-nice to have our programme already fixed in for the 2019/20 WEC season.
“I think this will be a great combination between us all after our season together at DragonSpeed which is coming to a close next month at Le Mans. The JOTA squad are well-known up and down the paddock for being a very professional and successful team so I cannot wait to go racing with them.”
And finally, Gonzalez said: “I’m feeling very excited and grateful as this will be my fourth season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and what better way than to race with a winning team like JOTA.
“They are a top team with proven results it. We have the expertise and professionalism required to keep up with JOTA’s level. I would like to thank Sam [Hignett] and [fellow JOTA Co-Owner] David Clark for trusting me and my teammates.
“As drivers we have shown integration, respect and support for each other and we have earned our spot as one of the most competitive lineups in our category. We know that together, we will be a major force.
“I will put all my effort into this new challenge so we can make the most out of this opportunity and get great results and also represent Mexico and Latin America in the best way possible.”