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Christina Nielsen to make 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 2016
Christina Nielsen is set for her 24 Hours of Le Mans debut, with the Danish driver having been confirmed at Formula Racing in next year’s European Le Mans Series season and twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.
The 23-year-old, a standout in this year’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, will join fellow Danes Mikkel Mac and Johnny Laursen in the team’s Ferrari F458 Italia, which won this year’s ELMS championship.
With the team’s Le Mans invite already secured thanks to its GTE title, Nielsen is set to make history in June in becoming the first Danish woman to take part in the race.
“To be the first Danish woman to run the 24 Hours of Le Mans seems completely unreal,” Nielsen said. “We have worked a long time on the project, and it’s a dream that comes true.
“There are many Danish drivers who strive for a Le Mans seat, and I am extremely grateful that Formula Racing has decided to give me the chance to help them to victory.”
Nielsen, who finished second in the GTD championship last year, will have a busy 2016 season, as she will also return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but in a Scuderia Corsa Ferrari.
There are no clashes between WeatherTech Championship GTD races and the six-round ELMS season, which kicks off at Silverstone in April.
“We are extremely pleased that Christina has agreed to run for us in the coming season,” said team principal Allan Jorgensen.
“Christina has certainly proven to be a fast and stable GT driver and she has constantly managed to be in the top.
“Her experience with long-distance race in the U.S. will undoubtedly strengthen our clear objective of both to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and repeat victory in the European Le Mans Series.”
Formula’s entry will run in the GTE-Am class at Le Mans with Silver-rated Nielsen and Bronze-rated Laursen.
The news rules the AF Corse-run Formula squad stepping up to the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, which was under consideration at one point.
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