He Replaces Kevin Magnussen, Who Fell Ill
BRASELTON, Ga. – Earl Bamber is getting an early start with the Chip Ganassi Racing Daytona Prototype international (DPi) program.
Signed to drive one of the team’s DPi entries in 2022, the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship champion will fill in for Kevin Magnussen in the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R at the Motul Petit Le Mans, after Magnussen fell ill.
Bamber will team with Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon in the No. 01 Cadillac. Magnussen qualified the car fourth on Friday, but it will be moved to the rear of the seven-car DPi grid since a driver change is necessary. The Kiwi drove the car in Saturday’s warm-up session.
“First of all, I hope Kevin is OK; he is feeling a bit under the weather,” Bamber said. “I was just saying to the guys I was about to enjoy a nice breakfast, and now I am getting suited for the warmup. This all happened in about the last hour.
“I have to say thanks to the Chip Ganassi Racing team for putting the trust in me to jump into the car. We had a test here a few weeks back, so I am familiar with the Cadillac DPi-V.R on this track. Let’s see what the day brings. It is most important to try and get a good result and let the main drivers do the business at the end.”
The 2021 season finale airs live starting at noon ET on NBC, then moving to NBCSN at 3 p.m. Complete coverage is also available on IMSA Radio.