Among the fastest drivers of his generation and a well-established winner in single-seaters, Fabio Leimer is giving his career a boost this season. The 25 year old Rothrist native will drive one of two Rebellion R-One cars entered by the Swiss outfit alongside Dominik Kraihamer and Andrea Belicchi. GP2 Series Champion after being crowned in the International Formula Master in 2009, this year Leimer has experienced a certain number of parameters. Driving an LM P1 car, endurance races and their idiosyncracies, traffic mixed with both prototypes and GT cars… many novelties the rookie has gotten to know since the kickoff of the season at Silverstone.

Like other young hopefuls such as Lucas di Grassi (Audi), James Calado (AF Corse) or Brendon Hartley (Porsche), Leimer is turning his back temporarily (or definitively?) on Formula 1 to dedicate himself to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) where the performance level offers a perfect alternative to the premier class in motorsports. Formula BMW, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, International Formula Master then GP2 Series, Leimer's journey progressed in such a way as to be legitimately poised for Formula 1 but the scarcity of available spots has made him change directions.

On June 1st, Leimer will get to know the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit at Test Day. An out-of-this-world experience for a neophyte. Definitely the least experienced of the No. 13 trio, he will have to show a certain level of speed even though his R-One powered by Toyota is still being developed. A performance to pay close attention to because it will exhibit, as will that of some of his opponents, the forefront of the new generation of endurance drivers.

Pierre-Yves RIOM / ACO - Transation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: FRANCORCHAMPS (LIEGE PROVINCE, BELGIUMQUE), CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, WEC 6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, FRIDAY MAY 2 2014. The Rebellion Racing drivers - Mathias Beche, Nicolas Prost, Dominik Kraihamer and Fabio Leimer.