First two drivers confirmed for Bahrain Rookie Test

Since 2015, the annual WEC Rookie Test has offered promising rising stars the chance to prove their potential – with many going on to stake their claim to full-time race seats in the series. As a case in point, Robert Shwartzman, Norman Nato and Julian Andlauer all used last year’s test as a springboard to launch their Hypercar careers in 2024.

In a few weeks’ time, de Gerus and Henrion will climb behind the wheel in Sakhir – the former in a car provided by the title-winning Hypercar manufacturer, and the latter in Manthey PureRxcing’s LMGT3 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) – having been nominated to participate by the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Both are currently competing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). De Gerus sits third in the LMP2 standings for IDEC Sport after reaching the rostrum last time out at Spa-Francorchamps. The first driver from the island of Réunion to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 21-year-old finished third in the latest edition of the round-the-clock classic – winning the Goodyear Wingfoot award for posting the best average lap time on the same set of tyres.

Henrion is a front-runner in the ELMS’ LMP3 division for Team Virage. The Frenchman – the same age as de Gerus – triumphed in the 2024 curtain-raiser in Barcelona and ascended the podium again at Imola. The Nancy native clinched the crown in the Ligier European Series two years ago, adding the Le Mans Cup’s LMP3 trophy to his blossoming CV the following season – exemplifying the success of the endurance racing pyramid as he progressively climbs the ladder.

Reshad de Gerus said:

“I was really happy to receive the news – it was a fantastic start to my day! This has been a great year for me so far, and this is a wonderful opportunity for my career. It feels like all my efforts are really beginning to pay off. 

“I’m super-excited to get the chance to discover the Hypercar. It will be a completely new experience for me. I know there will be more technology to get to grips with, and a big learning curve to understand how everything works. The Hypercar is heavier than my LMP2 car and obviously more powerful – and faster in every way! 

“I will take the test one step at a time, with the objective of learning as much as I can. My ultimate goal is to race for a manufacturer at Hypercar level, so if I can show my potential in Bahrain, even better!”

Gillian Henrion said:

“I’m extremely happy and proud to have been selected for the WEC Rookie Test. This will mark my first steps in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and getting closer to my goal of one day competing in this prestigious series is an amazing opportunity.

“It will be my first time in GT machinery, but I will do my best and learn in the best possible environment with Manthey PureRxcing. Nothing has been decided yet for next year, but I hope this experience will help me in the future.

“I would like to thank ACO President Pierre Fillon and WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien for giving me this chance. The path offered by the ACO pyramid proves that it’s possible to gradually reach the pinnacle of the sport. I started with the Ligier European Series in 2022, and two years later, here I am making my WEC debut. It’s a dream come true.”