United Kingdom, 15th March 2023 - Grid Motorsport with JMW will be entering the 2023 European Le Mans Series in a Ferrari 488 GTE Evo—an exciting partnership that aims to deliver a set of strong results.
Following a standout first season in the Japanese Super Taikyu Series 2022, Grid Motorsport aims to get its 2023 campaign off to a rapid start and will compete in the European Le Mans Series for the first time. For the long-standing and highly successful JMW Motorsport, this is a continuation of their success in the ELMS championship that dates back to 2007, with massive experience in Ferrari GTE machinery.
Behind the wheel for the full season will be a successful trio: Grid Motorsport owner Martin Berry (Bronze), Jon Lancaster (Gold) and Lorcan Hanafin (Silver). Spearheading the JMW team will be team owner Jim McWhirter.
Martin Berry is the owner of Grid Motorsport and the team’s bronze racer but is no stranger to success on the international stage. He is an Australian-born businessman, based in Japan, which has meant that in recent years – like many based in Asia – his race programmes have been limited due to COVID travel restrictions. However, in 2022, he competed in the Japanese endurance series Super Taikyu, and prior to that he built up solid endurance racing experience in the 24H Series and the Blancpain GT Endurance Cup and won the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific in 2017. Along with Lancaster and Hanafin, he brings a great deal of potential, as the team expects to challenge for regular podiums in the 12-car LMGTE class.
Lancaster is a 34-year old British driver who made his debut in the GP2 Series in 2013 and won the ELMS LMP2 Series in 2015. He has been watching Formula One since he was three and, like most race drivers, started his racing career in go-karts when he was 11. He brings a wealth of experience to the team and will be a key player in the team’s 2023 challenge.
Another British driver 21-year old Hanafin has been chasing championship titles from young. He was inspired by his father who was into rallying and bought him his first go-kart when he was 5. Hanafin has been competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Series, securing four wins in the 2021 season. His talent, hard work and determination will be a great asset to the team.
The first opportunity to see the No. 66 Ferrari 488 GTE EVO in action will be on the 19th of April during the official tests for ELMS ahead of the first race of the season on the 23rd of April in Barcelona. Following that, the championship will visit Imola, Le Castellet, Aragon, and Spa-Francorchamps, before the finale on October 22nd at Portimão.
Jim McWhirter, Team Owner, JMW: “We are really looking forward to the final season of GTE racing in the 2023 European Le Mans Series. We have a strong line-up of drivers in Martin, Lorcan and Jon and believe that this will give us the opportunity to challenge for wins and the championship.”
Martin Berry, Team Owner, Grid Motorsport, Bronze Driver -“I am hugely excited to have the opportunity to partner with long-standing and highly successful JMW Motorsport. We have a great line-up filled with young but experienced talent and we look forward to giving our all.”
Jon Lancaster, Gold Driver -“I’m delighted to make my return to the ELMS with the infamous JMW team and Grid Motorsport in their Ferrari 488 GTE. I believe with teammates as good as Martin Berry and Lorcan Hanafin in such a high quality team we have a strong opportunity to have a successful season and fight for the championship… bring on Barcelona!”
Lorcan Hanafin, Silver Driver -“I’m really excited to compete in the European Le Mans Series this season with Grid/JMW Motorsport. We have a super lineup and have the championship firmly in our sights. I can’t wait to get started in Barcelona next month!”
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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Stewart
Grid Motorsport Pte Ltd
Email: JessicaStewart0920@gmail.com
Phone: +65-9692 7145