Lilou Wadoux joins Powell, Chadwick in WEC rookie test

French up-and-coming racing star Lilou Wadoux has been invited to join Richard Mille Racing for the upcoming FIA WEC test in Bahrain.

Photo by: Racers Behind the Helmet

Lilou Wadoux, 20, is set to travel to Bahrain for the FIA WEC rookie test on Sunday 8 November, joining W Series stars Alice Powell and Jamie Chadwick at the wheel of the Richard Mille Racing LMP2 Oreca 07.

The young Frenchwoman has emerged as one of the most interesting female prospects after an impressive season in Alpine Elf Europa Cup, where she finished third in the championship standings, claiming 8 podium finishes. Her first victory - and the first for a woman in the series' history - came just a few days ago at the final round of the season in Portimao, Portugal.

Wadoux moved from national touring cars series to the Alpine Europa Cup in 2020, joining top team AutosportGP. She was seventh in her first season, showing great racecraft.

Her results throughout 2021 brought Wadoux under the international spotlight - especially after her victory in a one-off appearance at the French Sprint Challenge race in support of the 2021 24 hours of Le Mans. At her first race in GT3 machinery, Wadoux stormed to pole position and won in commanding style at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe.

Richard Mille Racing, founded by Swiss watchmaker and FIA endurance commission chairman Richard Mille, launched the program in 2019 with the aim of providing top equipment to top female talents in endurance racing. The program is run in partnership with top-French team Signatech Racing and brought for the first time an all-female crew in a prototype class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020, with Sophia Floersch, Tatiana Calderon and Beitske Visser finishing in the Top-10.

The rookie test in Bahrain will be Lilou Wadoux's first time driving a LMP car.