PREMA Racing has positive run in Sebring FIA WEC Prologue

PREMA Racing completed a valuable run in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship Prologue at Sebring Raceway. The team entered the official preseason test with two Oreca 07 LMP2 cars to prepare for the upcoming season-opening 1000 Miles of Sebring.

The #9 and #63 cars lined up for a busy work schedule with high and low fuel runs, as the team tested set-up solutions in different track situations. In addition, as it was the first official outing without tyre heating, which was banned for this year, procedures had to be adjusted to maximize performance. Pit stop and driver change practice complemented the on-track program.

The test also gave the new driver combinations a chance to bond with the team and with each other ahead of the main event. For Sebring, the #9 car features Italian Andrea Caldarelli alongside full-season stalwarts Filip Ugran and Bent Viscaal. The trio logged 276 laps in the two-day test.

The #63 car, which put in 263 laps in the four sessions, welcomed the trio of Mirko Bortolotti, Daniil Kvyat, and Doriane Pin, who left a strong impression and kept themselves in the leading pack for most of the time.

The team is now looking forward to going back into action for Round 1 starting with Practice on Wednesday.

#9 ANDREA CALDARELLI
“It has been a very productive test. It was the first time for me with LMP2 in WEC, and I took these two days mainly to increase my knowledge of the car. We also worked to prepare for the race weekend in terms of procedures and going through them. On the second day, we focused mostly on race simulation runs, which was very helpful for me to get a first feeling with these tyres and car.”

#9 FILIP UGRAN
“The test went really good. It’s my first time on this racetrack but I already love it. So far the pace has been good as well and we feel we are in a good position to start from. I can’t wait for the race!”

#9 BENT VISCAAL
“The two test days were really positive. The first one was even better than the second for us as we tested a few things to make further improvements but I don’t think we went in the right direction. That’s what it is with testing but, in general, I feel quite confident that we can put in a good performance on the race weekend. The team atmosphere is great and I’m looking forward to it.”

#63 MIRKO BORTOLOTTI
“It’s been a bit of a chaotic two days of testing with several red flag interruptions. All in all, we managed to get through most part of the work. We will need to continue that once the weekend officially kicks off.”

#63 DANIIL KVYAT
“I think it was a very productive couple of days of testing. We ticked a lot of boxes together with the team and my teammates. We did long and short runs, and tried many things to move forward and improve the car. We achieved all of these things and I can say we are ready for the race weekend.”

#63 DORIANE PIN
“I’m really really happy about the prologue. I enjoyed every single moment and it feels so special to be here for my first official test. We worked very well since the beginning with the team and my teammates. The sensation is good, and we can say it was a productive test. We are there, the pace is competitive, and we look forward to the next week, my first LMP2 weekend. The Sebring track is amazing, and I cannot wait for the race.”