ELMS up-and-comers Gray and Fleming set for WEC Rookie Test

Two of the European Le Mans Series' brightest young talents, Oliver Gray and Tom Fleming, have been selected to take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship's official end-of-season Rookie Test in Bahrain on Nov. 9.

Since its inception in 2015, the Rookie Test has given young drivers the chance to impress team bosses and manufacturers, with several – including Julien Andlauer, Mathieu Jaminet and Norman Nato – going on to secure Hypercar seats. Others, such as Mattia Drudi, Ben Barnicoat and Célia Martin, have used the opportunity as a springboard into GT competition.

This year’s test, following the 2025 season finale at the Bahrain International Circuit, falls 12 months after Théo Pourchaire made his first outing in Peugeot’s 9X8 Hypercar during the same event. The Frenchman, now FIA Formula 2 champion, will make his competitive WEC debut at the same circuit before returning to the cockpit the next day for the test ahead of his first full-time Hypercar campaign in 2026.

Gray, a former Williams Driver Academy member, will sample the world championship-winning Hypercar. The 20-year-old Briton has impressed in the ELMS' LMP2 class this season with VDS Panis Racing, leading the standings with victories at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps alongside Alpine Hypercar ace Charles Milesi and Toyota junior Esteban Masson. He also starred in his Le Mans 24 Hours debut, narrowly missing out on victory after a late suspension issue cost the team the lead.

“I’m over the moon to be selected for this year’s Rookie Test,” Gray said. “The opportunity to drive the winning Hypercar is amazing, and it’s a step forward in my career as that’s where I want to be in the future.

“This year has been great with VDS Panis Racing in ELMS; working with Charles and Esteban has been fantastic, and our relationship I think has contributed to our success. My long-term objective is to race in the top class in FIA WEC, so hopefully I can show what I’m made of in Bahrain and take a step closer to that goal!”

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Fleming, also British, will get behind the wheel of an LMGT3 car. The GR Racing driver is currently competing in ELMS with Mike Wainwright and Riccardo Pera, taking two podiums so far this year in the team's 296 LMGT3.

A runner-up in the 2023 Ferrari Challenge Europe, Fleming has also gained valuable GT and prototype mileage across multiple championships.

“I’m honored to be selected for the FIA WEC Rookie Test,” Fleming said. “To be part of such an exclusive and prestigious event is an incredible privilege and an opportunity I’m looking forward to making the most of.

“I’ve enjoyed an extremely busy, fruitful and diverse racing program this year. I’ve developed an enormous amount, gaining so much experience in a wide range of disciplines and situations – and now the Rookie Test will be the cherry on the cake to conclude what has been a successful 2025.

“Having never driven a race car outside of Europe, the unique climate and circuit layout in Bahrain will be an interesting challenge. Over the years, I’ve seen many FIA WEC and Formula 1 races take place at the circuit, so it’s simply surreal to think I will be heading there myself. I’ll be sure to do plenty of sim work in preparation!”

The Rookie Test will run for five hours on the Sunday following the 8 Hours of Bahrain, with manufacturers and teams evaluating potential future signings across the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories. Additional names for the test day will be announced in due course.