Nick Yelloly has expressed a sense of joy and sadness at the same time after the announcement of Acura’s withdrawal from the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Preparing for his new partnership with Ford for the World Endurance Championship next year, Yelloly leaves behind two seasons with the Japanese manufacturer.
The British driver landed at the factory Meyer Shank team at the beginning of the 2025 season after a stint with BMW, teaming up with veteran Renger van der Zande in the #93 Acura ARX-06. However, his collaboration with Honda will end after the brand announced the suspension of its GTP program at the end of 2026.
Although some of his teammates face an uncertain future, Yelloly has secured a spot for 2027 with Ford, becoming one of the six drivers who will compete in the new American brand project.
Despite his excitement for the opportunity with Ford in the WEC, the 35-year-old driver acknowledges that leaving IMSA is a difficult step, as he felt the #93 was forming a competitive team. “I really enjoy racing in IMSA, so not being here next year will be hard for me,” Yelloly commented.
Yelloly is aware of the challenges ahead, as he has driven on many of the circuits in the WEC calendar, but he has never competed in a full season. “It’s bitter because we were really starting to work operationally within the program,” he added, showing nostalgia for the collaboration with his team.
The British driver made it clear that he needed a new path after his tenure at BMW, and the decision to make the jump to Ford was quick, thanks to initial talks with the Ford Racing management. His confidence in Ford’s LMDh project remained high after a meeting with Dan Sayers, the project head, who conveyed the seriousness of the brand’s commitment to racing.
Moreover, Yelloly highlighted his experience with Oreca chassis, which will ease his adaptation to Ford’s new vehicle. The connection with the Oreca, used both during his time with Acura and in previous competitions, gives him an advantage for the new challenge.
This transition takes place with Yelloly’s involvement in three different competitions, as he continues to participate in the European Le Mans Series with Inter Europol. Currently, he and van der Zande hold the third position in the GTP standings in IMSA, with intense competition ahead of them in the season’s final races.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
