The REBELLION Racing team confirms that German driver Nick Heidfeld and Swiss driver Mathias Beche have renewed their contracts with the team for the 2014 season. The former Formula One driver will be a full-season driver for the Swiss team in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship. 2014 will be the first full season involvement for Nick with REBELLION Racing since he drove only in selected events with the team in 2012 and 2013 in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series.
Nick has had two successful seasons with REBELLION Racing, as he won seven times in the FIA WEC LMP1 Privateers, he won the 2013 Petit Le Mans, secured fourth place overall at the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours and third place overall in the 2013 running of the 12 Hours of Sebring on top of many other podium finishes.
Mathias remains with REBELLION Racing for a second year as his rookie season with the Swiss team in 2013 in the FIA World Endurance Championship was positive. Mathias recorded four class wins in the FIA WEC LMP1 Privateers and ended the season in fifth place in the FIA WEC drivers classification.
Nick Heidfeld : “It is great to continue with REBELLION Racing in 2014 after we enjoyed two successful seasons together by having won most of the races in the privateers LMP1, won twice the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 Teams, finishing fourth overall at Le Mans in 2012 and being the outright winner in the ALMS Petit Le Mans last year. I look forward to my first full season in the FIA World Endurance Championship. It will be a true challenge for everyone involved with the all new Rebellion R-One cars, new regulations and new competitors.”
Mathias Beche : “REBELLION Racing embodies the spirit of Le Mans. 2014 will be a turning point in the evolution of the team in building their own car, the REBELLION R-One. I am delighted to be involved in this ambitious project. I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new car. As a Swiss driver, being part of a Swiss team is something that I’m very proud of. I’m confident that the car’s potential is high and I’m targeting good results for this new season in the team. “
Bart Hayden, REBELLION Racing Team Manager : “It is very positive for the team that Nick and Mathias remain in our driver line-up again this year. Stability in the key drivers is a priority for us. There was a deep desire from the team and the drivers to continue, it is a logical decision to extend our relationship for the season to come. Both Nick and Mathias demonstrated strong pace and experienced positive results with the team. We extended Nicolas Prost’s contract at the end of last season, so half of our drivers for this year are now confirmed.”