Vandoorne to sub for Castroneves at Sebring 12 Hours

Mercedes F1 reserve and works Formula E charger Stoffel Vandoorne will head west next month to make his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship with Meyer Shank Racing.

The Belgian will sub for 2022 Daytona 24 Hour winner Helio Castroneves who is unable to contest the endurance classic as it clashes with the second round of the NTT IndyCar Series at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Vandoorne will share MSR's Acura ARX-05 at Sebring with his former JOTA WEC LMP2 teammate Tom Blomqvist and Oliver Jarvis.

"I’m really excited to be joining Meyer Shank for the Sebring 12 Hour," said the Mercedes FE works driver

"For me it will be the first time racing in Sebring, and the first time racing in IMSA competition which I am excited for because the racing in America is very close.

"I feel lucky to also be joining the team that just won the Daytona 24 Hours, so it’s going to be a really great experience.

"I know my teammate Tom (Blomqvist) already from last year racing in WEC and Olly I know him as well from endurance racing, but it will be the first time teaming up with them together.

"I’m really looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we can bring home a good result for the team."

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MSR team co-owner Mike Shank says Vandoorne is a worthy replacement for Castroneves based on his track record and his recent test with the American team.

"Stoffel impressed us at a test last week and will be a great addition to the team for Sebring," said Shank.

"It was our initial intention to have Helio race in both the IMSA and IndyCar events that weekend, but logistically it became a bit difficult.

"Tom has said great things about Stoffel from their time racing in WEC together last year, so I think we have another strong lineup heading into the race weekend."

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