Once the FIA and ACO decided delay the publication of the entry list of the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mansit was more than evident that the reason was linked to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the position in which the drivers and teams from Russia and Belarus have been left after the restrictions imposed by the FIA. Roman Rusinov made it clear during the impasse period that he and his team were not going to compete under the conditions imposed by the FIA, so it was no surprise not to see a trace of G-Drive in the final list of participants.
In fact, the sequence of events was written from the logical decisions of each other. Without Rusinov and G-Drive in the equation, the Algarve Pro Racing team has taken over the project from the Russian team, since it was the structure in charge of supporting the training at a technical and logistical level. However, among the pilots designated by the team under the Portuguese flag there is no trace of Daniil Kvyat eithera pilot who was ready to compete with one of the two Oreca 07-Gibsons in the lineup.
Daniil Kvyat has explained that his position is identical to that of Rusinovso it will not compete in the WEC silver class as long as the restrictions imposed by the FIA in the face of the war between Ukraine and Russia exist. Kvyat prefers not to compete and not debut in the LMP2 class to do so without using the license granted by the Russian Automobile Federation or without wearing and defending the colors of his country. A lawful position at a very delicate moment for his professional career.
In the end, Daniil Kvyat looked like another ‘broken toy’ from Formula 1, so competing in the WEC had become the best way to redirect his professional career. The environment of the G-Drive Racing team offered him the best possible scenario to make his debut at the controls of an LMP2 prototype, a circumstance that could even have occurred under new conditions with Algarve Pro Racing. However, Kvyat has assured that he agrees with Roman Rusinov’s position when considering that there is repression by the FIA.
For this reason, Kvyat has assured that he will not sign any FIA document in which he has to give up aspects that he considers fundamental, which leaves him de facto out of the World Resistance. The situation of the former Formula 1 driver is somewhat reminiscent of that experienced by Nikita Mazepin with the Haas F1 team and fuels the prejudice felt by the group of Russian drivers in the face of what consider discriminatory treatment of the FIA by not allowing them to compete on equal terms.
Photos: G Drive Racing