With the signing of Gianmaria Bruni, Porsche has bolstered its GT works driver squad for 2017. As one of the most successful and experienced sports car driver, the 35-year-old Italian will begin testing with the team in June and start racing this July in the IMSA series races.
“We’re delighted to welcome Gianmaria Bruni, one of the world’s top GT pilots, into our squad,” says Head of Porsche Motorsport, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser. “He fits perfectly into our strong circle of works drivers and will join us for the second half of the season.”
While it is believe that Bruni was brought on to Porsche to contest the WEC series, numerous other outlets, including Autosport.com, are reporting that Bruni’s former team, Ferrari, is forcing Bruni to sit out the rest of the WEC season as part of letting him out of his long-term contract early.
The ex-Formula 1 driver celebrated his greatest success at Le Mans as well as in the World Endurance Championship WEC: At the world’s most famous long-distance classic, he clinched the GT victory in 2008, 2012 and 2014. In the WEC he won the GTE-Pro championship title in 2013 and 2014. On top of these came more successes at long-distance races such as the 12 Hours of Sebring (2010) and the Spa 24 Hours (2015). He also took home the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in the years 2011 and 2012 as well as title victories in the Le Mans Series (2011) and the GT Open (2012).
