In early October, the Rebellion Racing team announced its return to the LM P2 class in 2017 after dominating the private LM P1 teams in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for several seasons. The winning R-One was developed in collaboration with Oreca, so it followed that the outfit led by Bart Hayden looked to the Oreca 07, compliant with the new LM P2 class technical regulations in effect as of January 1, 2017.

At the wheel of the two "made in Signes" prototypes, two history-making Rebellion Racing drivers, as well as one returning and three newcomers who are experienced in endurance. Nicolas Prost present since the inception of the LM P1 program in 2009, and Mathias Beche who joined in 2013, will welcome Nelson Piquet, Jr. who competed in the last three rounds of the 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season including the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Swiss team, as well as Bruno Senna, Julien Canal and David Heinemeier Hansson.

The first four are categorized Platinum by the FIA and since a driver line-up of three drivers must be composed of at least one Silver or Bronze driver in the LM P2 class, Rebellion Racing has brought on two Silver drivers: Julien Canal, who has three class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and who won the trophy for best LM P2 driver in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2015, and David Heinemeier Hansson, winner in the LM GTE Am class with Aston Martin at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished second in LM P2 in 2013.

The Danish driver, third in LM GTE Am with Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing at Le Mans in 2016, will share the #13 Oreca 07 with Mathias Beche and Nelson Piquet, Jr., and the Le Mans native, sixth in the LM P2 class with Greaves Motorsport at the 24 Hours in 2016, will join Nicolas Prost and Bruno Senna in the #31 sister car, a new number chosen by Rebellion Racing to replace the #12.

Julien Canal, driver of the #31 Oreca 07: "Rebellion Racing is a leading team and as soon as they announced their LM P2 program I contacted them.  In addition, I know many drivers in the team who are also my friends and I had for several years positive feedback on the value of the team. After winning the FIA WEC LM P2 in 2015, my desire to return to this championship was very high and I wanted to come back with a strong team, a team with the will to win and positive vibe. I cannot wait to drive the new Oreca “07” LM P2 car. I know Bruno Senna, we get on very well, and with Nico our friendly relationship goes back for many years, I'm looking forward to sharing this car with them both. A great 2017 season awaits us!"

Quotation from team press release.

Photo (Copyright - Adrien Clément/ACO): Julien Canal at the grand Drivers' Parade the day before the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.