Oreca confirmed as Rebellion LMP1 chassis partner

After Rebellion stepped down to the LMP2 class in 2017 and won the class title with Oreca machinery, it was widely assumed the alliance between the two manufacturers would continue when the Swiss team announced its intention to return to LMP1 late last year.

Now Oreca has outed itself as the producer of what will be known as the ‘Rebellion R 13’ – which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The new car will utilise an uprated version of the spec 4.5-litre normally aspirated Gibson LMP2 powerplant.

“To design this new LMP1 prototype is a wonderful challenge,” said Oreca CEO Hugues de Chaunac.

“When the design bureau began developing the Oreca 07, we really wanted to move up to the next level, one step higher compared to the Oreca 05.

“The success achieved last year really motivated and convinced us to now tackle this highly competitive main category.

“Fitted with an atmospheric engine, this LMP1 will face a hard task against the Hybrid cars. But the Rebellion R13 will be a very determined challenger.”

The alliance between Oreca and Rebellion dates back to 2014, when the bespoke R-One was introduced to replace the team’s previous lineage of Lola-designed chassis.

Making up Rebellion’s driver line-up will be former Porsche LMP1 drivers Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani, reigning LMP2 champion Bruno Senna, Mathias Beche, Gustavo Menezes and Thomas Laurent.