Photo: MPS agency
Timur Boguslavskiy, champion of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup, wants to move to the FIA World Endurance Championship next year with TF Sport and Chevrolet.
The Russian driver tries out a GTE-spec Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in today’s postseason rookie test at the Bahrain International Circuit, but has ambitions to drive GM’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which is gearing up for its debut in 2024 prepared by customer teams.
Boguslavskiy, who won the Endurance Cup title in an Akkodis ASP Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, told Sportscar365 that he had seen several options for 2024.
“[ASP] Immediately afterwards there was a shootout with Mercedes [final GTWC] Race on Monday,” he said.
“There was also the option to drive with them, but the problem is that the car is quite old because they drive Lexus and they won’t have a new car for another two years.
“I’m staying silver, so it’s a good opportunity to take part in the WEC. It’s my first meeting with the team. They’re happy for me and I’m happy for them, so why not?”
Boguslavskiy was also in talks with AF Corse about driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 at GTWC Europe next year, but a possible test in the car overlapped with the rookie test.
He also confirmed that he did not drive the Lexus RC F GT3, which Akkodis ASP plans to run in the WEC’s new LMGT3 class.
As previously reported by Sportscar365, Akkodi’s ASP is unlikely to remain in the top flight of GTWC Europe if he joins the WEC.
“I’m pretty tired of the championship, five years in a row,” said Boguslavskiy, who started talks with GM and TF Sport about two weeks ago.
“But the most important thing is to use my Silver status. I think we can achieve a good result here next year.”
TF Sport team principal Tom Ferrier told Sportscar365 that Boguslavskiy’s test came about with a view to a possible collaboration in LMGT3, but admitted that “nothing is definite” at this stage.
The rookie test is primarily a personal introduction for Boguslavskiy, as the GTE Corvette is a different model than the GT3 car that TF Sport will field next year.
The 23-year-old also took part in the 2022 WEC rookie test and tried out an Oreca 07 Gibson driven by AF Corse, but has never raced in the WEC.
“It feels more like a prototype,” he said of the Corvette C8.R.
“All GT cars, if you look at it [GT3] Ferrari, BMW and McLaren are more or less a formula [cars]. Our Mercedes is really old and I have been driving this car for many years, so that is more than enough.”
Boguslavskiy won the Endurance Cup title alongside Raffaele Marciello, who is rumored to be leaving Mercedes-AMG at the end of the year, and Jules Gounon.
He and Marciello also secured the combined GTWC Europe drivers’ title and finished second in the Sprint Cup standings.
Sportscar365 understands that another prominent Mercedes-AMG factory driver and Endurance Cup champion, Daniel Juncadella, is being considered for a spot in the Corvette GT3 as GM looks to expand its driver pool to include more cars in its new era of customer racing.
Alongside Boguslavskiy, Antoine Doquin, winner of the LMP3 race in the European Le Mans Series, will drive the Corvette C8.R at the test in Bahrain.
Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among others.
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