Corvette Racing stalwart Jan Magnussen may be leaving the team, according to a new report from Sportscar365.
The racing publication says Magnussen, whose General Motors contract is up at the end of 2019, will be replaced by American driver Jordan Taylor from 2020 onward.
It’s unclear if the 46-year old Dane has elected to retire, or if GM decided not to renew his contract. Magnussen joined Corvette Racing in 2004 and has three driver’s titles, four Le Mans wins and a Daytona 24 Hour win with the team.
Taylor currently races for his father’s team, Wayne Taylor Racing, in a Cadillac DPi-V.R. The 28-year old Orlando native is no stranger to the Corvette Racing camp, having raced with the team at Le Mans every year between 2012 and 2017.
When asked for comment by Sportscar365, Wayne Taylor indicated his son was contracted to drive for him in 2020. While it’s possible the report is not accurate, it’s unlikely Taylor would comment on the contract before it has been officially announced by GM, anyway. Sportscar365 also says Australian ex-IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe will fill in for Taylor at WTR – speculation Wayne did not comment on.
In a statement, Chevrolet said it “won’t discuss speculation on personnel matters,” before adding that “Jan has been and continues to be a valuable part of Corvette Racing.”
With GM saying Magnussen is a valuable part of the team (and there’s no denying that he is) it’s possible the popular ex-F1 driver has elected to drive for the team for endurance events only. GM currently relies on German drivers Marcel Fassler and Mike Rockenfeller to serve as the third drivers for its two Corvettes in endurance events like Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.
Assuming Sportscar365’s report is accurate, Taylor would join Corvette Racing just as it switches to the mid-engine Corvette C8.R platform. Taylor has raced a mid-engine car full-time in IMSA every year since 2014.
We will provide an update on the situation once we hear more.
Source: Sportscar365
Comments
sounds like his dad is shutting down his DPI team
Earlier in the year he said BOP was getting to be too much and being the sole owner he couldn’t continue to mis the podium. The other Cadillacs were also penalized.
I’ve been an avid GTLM/DPI fan since 2005 and within the last 2 years BOP has set back the excitement and I’m no longer going to be a fan . This year is so obvious BOP has shut down the excitement when you watch the Acura’s have been the BOP exception. They gave the Mazdas some relief but then took it away leaving Acura alone. The Cadillacs have way more BOP than any other manufacturer. It’s obvious when Cadillac gets passed by the Acura on the back stretch straight away and can’t make it up and falls back. Then, spends more pit time fueling due to BOP fuel restrictor… Its time to leave the political arena and watch a cleaner race sanction.
I miss the days when 4 to 5 manufacturers were bumping each other throughout the entire race down to the finish. Now, 1 manufacture is the only one left on the last lap. NO FUN IN THAT…
I see the same for the Corvette, BMW, and Ferrari, in GTLM.
I don’t watch GTD. To me, those manufacturers should buck up and compete in GTLM.
Corvette Racing stalwart Jan Magnussen may be leaving the team, according to a new report from Sportscar365.
What other drivers are currently part of the Corvette Racing team?