On May 3, 2023, Rick Ware Racing officially announced that Juan Pablo Montoya will be driving the No. 51 Biohaven ORECA 07-Gibson for the sprint races of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Montoya, the seasoned racer renowned for his success across multiple racing disciplines, will make his debut with the team during the MOTUL Course de Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on May 14.
"I have been very fortunate to race in multiple categories with some of the best teams in history," Montoya remarked in a press release. His tenure in high-stakes racing has seen him embroiled in championship battles across various series. "I love racing the LMP2 car and feel my experience can be a great asset to the team. I can see us winning races together," he added, expressing optimism about his collaboration with Rick Ware Racing.
The addition of Montoya is a significant moment for Rick Ware Racing, according to team owner Rick Ware. "This is a big opportunity for RWR and our IMSA team," Ware said. He believes Montoya's extensive background, which includes multiple championships and race wins, will enhance their LMP2 program. "We are looking forward to seeing what we can do together for the three races Juan Pablo is in the car this year and build on that for the future," he stated.
Montoya’s involvement will not only include Laguna Seca; he is scheduled to partake in sprint races at Road America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These three events are the only sprint races confirmed for the LMP2 class this season, highlighting his crucial role in the team's competitive strategy.
This new partnership marks a shift from Rick Ware Racing's initial plans announced earlier in the year, where Pietro Fittipaldi was set to be Eric Lux's full-time teammate. While Fittipaldi remains with the team, his commitment is now limited to the Michelin Endurance Cup races. He will join Lux and INDYCAR regular Devlin DeFrancesco for the remaining endurance events on the team's calendar.
The alignment of Montoya's calendar with Rick Ware Racing allows him to balance his responsibilities, as he will continue his racing endeavors with DragonSpeed in the European Le Mans Series. There, he races in the LMP2 Pro-Am class alongside Henrik Hedman and his son, Sebastian, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the sport.
With the IMSA season now welcoming Montoya aboard, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his wealth of experience will impact Rick Ware Racing's performance in the races to come. As the team prepares for the upcoming races, the combination of Montoya's talent and the team's ambition could make for thrilling outcomes as the season progresses.
