American Driver Josh Pierson Scripts History by Becoming the Youngest Le Mans Entry at 16 Years of Age

American driver Josh Pierson is all set to become the youngest ever to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The season begins at Sebring International Raceway in March and will include the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11-12 (as well as Spa, Monza, Fuji, and Bahrain). The Portland-based star, currently 15, will drive for British-based United Autosports in the second-tier LMP2 category.

Pierson will surpass the previously set record by Matthew McMurry. He was 16 years and 202 days when he raced in the 2014 edition. Josh Pierson was born in February 2006 in Portland, Oregon. He had a strong karting career before switching to motor racing in 2020. The American clinched the first spot in the 2016 Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Micro Max.

SKUSA Pro Tour – X30 Junior, 2019, was another highlight of his career where he finished 3rd. The 15-year-old has entered 45 races in 2020 and 2021, winning 2 of them along with 11 podium finishes. This season will see the biggest ever grid, as per the WEC organizers, with 39 full entrants.

Six teams will enter the top Hypercar category, including Toyota, Peugeot, Alpine, and Glickenhaus, while 15 cars will compete in the LMP2 category. Pierson will enter the LMP2 category with United Autosports alongside British racers Oliver Jarvis and Alex Lynn. The wunderkind will look to leave his mark early on in his career at the historic Le Mans.

United States’ F1 Prospect – Logan Sargeant

American F3 racer Logan Sargeant saw a turnaround in his fortunes as he hopped into an F1 car sooner than he expected. An unfortunate budget constraint at the beginning of 2021 compelled him to stay in F3 for the 3rd consecutive year. However, Williams’ Driver Academy signed Sargeant, and he made his F2 debut. Later, he tested an F1 car for the first time in Abu Dhabi.

In an interview reported by The Racer, Seargeant said this move was an unexpected one while he started exploring other options. “I actually wasn’t much to do with it, so I have to say a big thank you and shout-out to Infinity Sports Management,” he said.

“We were looking at IndyCar options and then at Infinity they came to me with the Williams situation, and from there it just all lined up, really. Things in racing normally take longer, so yeah (it was a surprise), for sure,” he added.

Sargeant is chasing an F1 seat in 2023 and it is a realistic possibility for the 20-year-old.

Read More- Report: Audi & Porsche Likely to Discuss F1 Entry By the End of February 2021