Ordonez Hired as Test Driver for Nissan ZEOD Program

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
12 videos
has hired Lucas Ordonez, the first winner in its GT Academy program, to be one of the test drivers of the ZEOD RC, the Garage 56 entry in the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans. It goes not guarantee that Ordonez will race the car at Le Mans, but it certainly makes him a top candidate.

"To work again with this group and to be part of this project for Le Mans is amazing. To actually start from the beginning of the project is just a dream for me. I'm really looking forward to working with the team to develop all the new technology in the ZEOD RC and to develop the car on track. It's a unique experience,” said Ordonez.

The ZEOD RC is the latest car from Ben Bowlby who also created the DeltawingNissan DeltaWingJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
3 videos
. His latest car will attempt to take on Le Mans next year and be able to do laps on completely electric power. It will make its first on-track tests next month.

Nissan says that it has not decided on a drivetrain for the ZEOD RC yet, but it will have enough electric power to complete a few laps of each stint with no emissions.

Ordonez was the GT Academy winner in 2008 and since then he has scored podiums in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa 24 Hours and other major races.

"Our goal to ‘electrify Le Mans' is just the first step in changing the face of motorsport and making it relevant to what we drive on the road and we're thrilled to have Lucas playing a key role in that process,” said Nissan Motorsport Director Darren Cox.