Realteam Racing enters the FIA WEC with an LMP2 and a strong crew
16 April 2024
Realteam Racing is set to debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After two seasons in LMP3, a victory and a podium finish in the 2020 European Le Mans Series, the Swiss team is now taking on a new challenge. Realteam Racing will enter an ORECA 07 in the LMP2 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
To carry out this programme on the international scene, driver and team owner Esteban Garcia, teamed up with experienced drivers Loïc Duval and Norman Nato. Involved since the team launch back in 2019, David Droux will be the reserve driver. The trio will take part in the competition for the brand new FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Pro/Am teams and drivers.
Loïc Duval has competed at the highest level of endurance racing in LMP1, notably as a factory driver for Audi Sport, which led him to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship title with in 2013. Among other things, he has just completed a 2020 season in the European Le Mans Series in LMP2.
Norman Nato has made a name for himself in Endurance racing in recent years, first in LMP2, then in the top class in 2019 and 2020 with Rebellion Racing. In addition to his two FIA WEC victories last season, the French driver also finished second on the podium in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans. In parallel with his LMP2 programme, he was signed by ROKiT Venturi Racing to compete in Formula E in his first season, after having been a reserve driver.
As in LMP3, Realteam Racing will be relying on TDS Racing and all its endurance expertise for the LMP2 programme.
The 2021 FIA WEC season will kick off on March 19th at the 1000 Miles of Sebring.
Realteam Racing for Hydrogen
Realteam Racing’s commitment to motorsports reflects Esteban Garcia’s desire to influence change from the inside. As an entrepreneur, he strongly believes in hydrogen as a clean and sustainable solution for energy storage and is looking forward to use it in the real estate projects he is developing. On the track, his enthusiasm for the technology is reflected in Norman Nato enrollment as official driver for RealTeam Racing, who is also the development driver for the electric-hydrogen prototype of the Mission H24 program.
"We are very pleased to take this further step by entering a LMP2 in the World Endurance Championship and to be eligible for the FIA LMP2 Pro/Am Endurance Trophy. After two full seasons in ELMS with David (Droux), a victory and a podium in the championship, it was time for us to reach our goal of competing in the WEC as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. TDS Racing will continue to bring us its full experience in this programme. I’m very excited to share the wheel with two drivers as experienced as Loïc and Norman! »
Esteban Garcia - Owner and driver AM Realteam Racing
"I’m very happy to join Realteam Racing. I know TDS Racing well as I have driven with them a few times in ELMS and once in FIA WEC. Esteban, who has a good sense of humor, has the desire to progress and achieve good results, and Loïc’s experience makes us a complete crew. With Loïc, we will accompany Esteban for his transition from LMP3 to LMP2 without forgetting to have fun. The pleasure will come when we climb on the podium. I can't wait to attack with the team. »
Norman Nato - Realteam Racing Driver
"I’m delighted to be back in the FIA WEC, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the highlight, after a year's absence. I’m happy to do it again with TDS Racing, with whom I have been racing for two years, and with Esteban for this Pro-Am project. For me, this represents the essence of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as there have always been gentlemen associated with professionals. It's a great human adventure. I’m also very happy to share the wheel with Norman, whom I know a little bit, and I know what he is capable of! We have a lot of room for improvement, but the three of us know where we want to go with the team in terms of performance. I hope we can live our passion and share it with the spectators. »
Loïc Duval - Realteam Racing Driver
"TDS Racing is very pleased to strengthen its relationship with Realteam Racing. The move to LMP2 is a logical continuation of the results achieved last year. Esteban's passion for motorsport and the experience and professionalism of Loïc Duval and Norman Nato will undoubtedly be important assets in the race for the title in the Pro-Am category. »
Xavier Combet, owner of TDS Racing and Team Manager of Realteam Racing.