IMSA | Picariello and Dumas debut on Proton's Porsche LMDh

The Proton Competition has defined the crews with which it will start the 2024 season of the IMSA SportsCar Championship starting from the 24h of Daytona.

The team directed by Christian Ried will be busy on two fronts, fielding the Porsche LMDh in the GTP Class and the brand new Ford Mustang GT3 in the GTD category.

For the 963 #5 which will bring back the Mustang Sampling Racing livery, as already revealed a few weeks ago, the owners Gimmi Bruni and Neel Jani will be joined by the expert Romain Dumas and the young Alessio Picariello in Florida, both on their first outing on board of the German prototype in the race.

As for the #55 Mustang, Ford Performance official Dennis Olsen will lend a hand at Daytona to the starters Giammarco Levorato and Corey Lewis, with Ryan Hardwick acting as third for the Endurance Cup races.

“To be successful at Daytona, you need to have a perfectly prepared car, fast drivers and a strong team,” underlines Ried, who this year has decided to follow the team from the wall and hang up his helmet.

“Together with our employees we have worked hard to create the best possible conditions for a successful start to the new motorsport year.”

Very excited Picariello: “I will make my debut on the Proton Porsche at the 24h of Daytona, it's a great challenge, but also a dream come true! I can't wait to start working with Neel, Gimmi and Romain”.

Levorato adds: “This year I will race with Proton in IMSA starting from the 24h of Daytona together with Ryan Hardwick, Dennis Olsen and Corey Lewis, after which I will do the GTD Class races with Corey, while Ryan will be with us in Sebring, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis and Petit Le Mans as third driver.”

“I thank the team and Ford Performance for this great adventure and opportunity, as well as my loyal partners for their mega support. I can't wait to make my mark on the American racing scene!”