Photo: Bruce Jenkins Photography
Brazilian open-wheel driver Pipo Derani will make his sports car racing debut with Murphy Prototypes in next weekend’s European Le Mans Series round at Paul Ricard.
The 20-year-old rising star, who is coming off a partial season in Pro Mazda competition, completed a successful test in the team’s Oreca 03R Nissan last week at Snetterton, which helped seal the drive.
“Pipo did a great job at Snetterton,” team owner Greg Murphy said. “He was quick and is at a good age, mature, and can have a bright future in sports cars.
“He will be with us at Paul Ricard and I hope he can continue with us for Estoril and in 2015.”
Derani, a race winner in British F3, made the step up to FIA European F3 last year prior to his short stint in Pro Mazda, which was curtailed prior to Indianapolis in May.
“I am very happy with this chance to meet a new category,” Derani said. “There is a possibility to continue next year, but initially I’m thinking only in this first step.”
The Irish squad tested a number of other drivers, including Jonathan Coleman and Khaled Al Mudhaf, although it has yet to confirm the remainder of its lineup for the French round on Sept. 13-14.