A pair of standout 21-year-olds from this season’s European Le Mans Series, Reshad de Gerus and Gillian Henrion, have become the first two drivers confirmed for the FIA WEC’s post-season rookie test in Bahrain.
De Gerus is set to drive a car provided by the title-winning Hypercar manufacturer in the test, while Henrion will steer Manthey PureRxcing’s LMGT3 championship-winning Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 (pictured above).
Both drivers have been nominated to participate in the test by the WEC as a reward for their efforts in the ELMS this season.
De Gerus sits third in the LMP2 standings as part of IDEC Sport’s driver crew.
“I was really happy to receive the news — it was a fantastic start to my day! This has been a great year for me so far, and this is a wonderful opportunity for my career. It feels like all my efforts are really beginning to pay off,” he said.
“I’m super-excited to get the chance to discover the Hypercar. It will be a completely new experience for me. I know there will be more technology to get to grips with, and a big learning curve to understand how everything works. The Hypercar is heavier than my LMP2 car and obviously more powerful — and faster in every way!
“I will take the test one step at a time, with the objective of learning as much as I can. My ultimate goal is to race for a manufacturer at Hypercar level, so if I can show my potential in Bahrain, even better!”
Henrion, meanwhile, currently drives with Team Virage in its LMP3 class Ligier JS P320, having climbed the ACO’s ladder to the ELMS via the Ligier European Series and Le Mans Cup support series that run on the same bill.
“I’m extremely happy and proud to have been selected for the WEC rookie test. This will mark my first steps in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and getting closer to my goal of one day competing in this prestigious series is an amazing opportunity,” he said.
“It will be my first time in GT machinery, but I will do my best and learn in the best possible environment with Manthey PureRxcing. Nothing has been decided yet for next year, but I hope this experience will help me in the future.
“I would like to thank ACO President Pierre Fillon and WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien for giving me this chance. The path offered by the ACO pyramid proves that it’s possible to gradually reach the pinnacle of the sport. I started with the Ligier European Series in 2022, and two years later, here I am making my WEC debut. It’s a dream come true.”
The rookie test, first held in 2015, has provided a valuable opportunity for a number of young drivers to showcase their talents to factories over the years. The list of previous attendees includes current Hypercar drivers Robert Shwartzman, Norman Nato and Julian Andlauer.
