Jarvis moves to Bentley after Audi withdrawal
British sportscar racer Oliver Jarvis will join this year’s Blancpain Endurance Series after signing a factory contract with Bentley.
Jarvis, 33, was left without a drive for this year after Audi Sport pulled the plug on its FIA World Endurance and Le Mans LMP1 programme last season. Jarvis had just enjoyed his best P1 campaign to date, finishing second in the WEC points alongside Lucas di Grassi and Loic Duval.
Jarvis will now join Bentley regulars Steven Kane and Guy Smith in an allBritish line-up aboard a Continental GT3 in Blancpain. Jarvis will also contest the 24 Hours of Spa and Bathurst 12 Hours in Australia.
“Driving for Bentley is something special, and that’s not lost on me: I have to say that the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hourswinning Speed 8 is one of my favourite racing cars of all time,” said Jarvis.
“Once Audi pulled out I was trying to find a suitable drive with another manufacturer, so I was delighted to reach a deal with Bentley.”
Bentley motorsport head Brian Gush added: “Olly’s credentials are clear and he sees the potential of GT racing. He wants to make it his future, so hopefully this can be the start of something long and fruitful.”
Jarvis last raced in GTS when he took part in the 2012 and 2013 FIA GT Series with the WRT and Phoenix Audi teams respectively.
The second factory M-sport car will be crewed by Vincent Abril, Andy Soucek and Maxime Soulet.