‘Rowland to make GT racing debut’

Williams Formula 1 young driver Oliver Rowland will make his GT racing debut at the Silverstone Blancpain GT Series round this weekend with the Strakka Mercedes team.

The 25-year-old has been brought in to drive one of the British team’s factory-supported Mercedes-amg GT3S in the Endurance Cup round of the BGTS in place of Christian Vietoris, who is unavailable through illness.

Rowland will race one of two pro class Strakka Mercs together with former Mercedes DTM driver Adrien Tambay and marque stalwart Thomas Jager.

The race will be Rowland’s first in sportscars following the withdrawal of the Manor LMP1 squad from the World Endurance Championship at Spa.

Rowland said: “I’m excited to be joining Strakka at Silverstone and look forward to get to know the Mercedes-amg GT3 car.

“I’ll be pushing hard to achieve some great results for the team.”

Strakka’s racing director Jay Davenport added: “Oliver’s proven talent and experience on F1 circuits will be a great addition to our line-up, giving us a strong chance of running at the front.”

Rowland had looked set to race for the R-motorsport Aston Martin squad in the Endurance Cup prior to his Williams deal.

Mercedes DTM reserve driver Vietoris is unable to take part after contracting glandular fever.

Force India F1 simulator driver Nick Yelloly will also make his Blancpain debut at Silverstone, driving a BMW M6 GT3.