6

Thomas Laurent was affectionally known as a “dodgy silver” in the FIA World Endurance Championship last year. Technically an amateur silver-rated driver under the series’ classification, Laurent was able to race with two professionals in the LMP2 class - but was on a par with his peers, effectively giving the Jackie Chan DC Racing squad a trio of gold-rated racers.

The 19-year-old - now rated as a gold - will move up to LMP1 with Rebellion Racing, giving him the chance to fight again for overall honours at the 24 Hours of Le Mans should the Toyotas hit trouble. Laurent will race as part of an all-star line-up for the Swiss team alongside the likes of Andre Lotterer, Neel Jani, Bruno Senna, Mathias Beche and Gustavo Menezes.

The DC Racing camp tried digging in its heels to keep Laurent for the 2018/19 ‘super season’, so highly rated is he, only for the contractual dispute to ultimately be resolved.

2018 offers a chance for the young Frenchman to continue his development as one of the brightest talents in sports car racing. And if last year is anything to go by, the world is at his feet.