Get ready, racing fans! The World Endurance Championship (WEC) is gearing up for its annual rookie test at the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday, November 9th – just a day after the thrilling 2025 season finale in the Gulf nation. This test is a crucial opportunity for teams to scout fresh talent and for newly signed drivers to get acquainted with their cars.
This year's test promises to be as exciting as ever, with a mix of established stars and rising talents hitting the track.
In the past, the Bahrain rookie test has been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in motorsport. Think Fernando Alonso, Sebastien Ogier, and Valentino Rossi – all drivers from other disciplines who seized the chance to experience top-level prototypes.
A partial entry list for this year's test was released on Wednesday, with more drivers expected to be announced soon.
Peugeot's new recruit for 2026, Nick Cassidy, will make his official debut with the Stellantis marque in Bahrain, sharing the 9X8 LMH with Alex Quinn and Mathias Beche, both European Le Mans Series drivers.
Cassidy, a Formula E frontrunner, last raced in the WEC in 2022 at the wheel of an AF Corse Ferrari in GTE Pro. He's already had a private test in the 9X8 after announcing his move to Peugeot in September.
Meanwhile, Sacha Fenestraz will be getting his first laps in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid after rejoining the Japanese marque this year as part of a dual Super Formula/Super GT program. Ben Barnicoat will also be driving for Toyota in Bahrain, having previously tested the car exactly two years ago in 2023.
Here's a glimpse of some confirmed Hypercar drivers:
- #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, Philip Hanson
- #007 Aston Martin Thor Team Aston Martin Valkyrie: Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble
- #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, Matt Campbell
Factory BMW drivers Charles Weerts and Kelvin van der Linde will also get a chance to drive the M Hybrid V8 at the Sakhir track. Both come from a GT background, so this will be a valuable experience for them in prototype machinery.
Antonio Felix da Costa, a former Porsche Formula E star, will be back in the WEC paddock, driving the Alpine A424 ahead of his first campaign with the Renault-owned brand in 2026.
Ferrari has nominated its work driver Alessio Rovera and Lilou Wadoux for the rookie test. Rovera will drive the customer #83 AF Corse entry, while Wadoux will pilot the factory #51 499P, marking her second Hypercar outing with Ferrari.
Rovera, along with AF Corse team-mates Simon Mann and Francois Heriau, is also competing for the LMGT3 title this weekend.
Another LMGT3 regular, Mattia Drudi from Heart of Racing, will step up to Hypercar machinery during the Bahrain test, driving the new V12-powered Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Cadillac has enlisted its IMSA drivers, Jack Aitken and Ricky Taylor, for the one-day test.
Furthermore, the WEC organization has selected Oliver Gray and Thomas Fleming to participate in the Bahrain test based on their performances in the ELMS this year.
Gray, who won the overall ELMS title with Charles Milesi and Esteban Masson, has been nominated to drive the car that wins the Hypercar title on Saturday, while Fleming will get behind the wheel of the title-winning LMGT3 machine.
Porsche, which is leaving the Hypercar class after this year, is surprisingly absent from the entry list for the Bahrain rookie test. But here's where it gets controversial... The German manufacturer has given 2024 IMSA GTD Pro champion Laurin Heinrich his maiden Hypercar outing in the season-ending Bahrain 8 Hours, replacing Michael Christensen in the #5 963 LMDh.
LMGT3 teams will also be in action in the Bahrain test.
The full entry list will be revealed in the coming days.
Confirmed Hypercar drivers:
- Peugeot: Nick Cassidy, Alexander Quinn, Mathias Becche, Malthe Jakobsen
- Toyota: Sacha Fenestraz, Ben Barnicoat, Brendon Hartley, Mike Conway
- BMW: Charles Weerts, Kelvin van der Linde
- Cadillac: Ricky Taylor, Jack Aitken
- AF Corse Ferrari: Alessio Rovera, Lilou Wadoux
- Aston Martin: Mattia Drudi
- Alpine: Antonio Felix da Costa
- Proton Porsche: Dorian Boccolacci
- WEC-nominated: Ollie Gray (Title-winning Hypercar)
Confirmed LMGT3 drivers:
- AF Corse Ferrari: Matias Zagazeta, Nicola Lacorte
- Heart of Racing Aston Martin: Grey Newell
- WRT BMW: TBA, Anthony McIntosh
- TF Sport Corvette: Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood
- United Autosports McLaren: Alexander West
- Iron Lynx Mercedes: TBA
- Proton Ford: TBA
- ASP Lexus: Martin Berry, Tom van Rompuy, Hadrien David
- Manthey Porsche: Francois Heriau, Richard Lietz
- WEC-nominated: Tom Fleming (Tittle-winning LMGT3)
And this is the part most people miss... The Bahrain rookie test is not just about the drivers. It's also a chance for teams to refine their strategies and prepare for the upcoming season. With such a diverse lineup of drivers, each with their own unique skills and experience, the test is sure to be a fascinating spectacle.
What are your thoughts on the driver selection? Do you think the rookies will make a splash? Share your opinions in the comments below! What are your expectations for the upcoming season? Let us know!
