JOTA has confirmed that Stoffel Vandoorne and Tom Blomqvist will not return to JOTA’s LMP2 line-up for the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship after team-mate Sean Gelael was announced to have joined Team WRT on Tuesday.
Vandoorne, Blomqvist and Gelael finished second in the LMP2 standings in 2021, being the only of the title-contending cars to not win a race despite nearly winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Silver-rated Gelael was announced as the first driver in Team WRT’s expanded two-car LMP2 effort for the 2022 season, which also cast doubts over his team-mates’ future with the LMP2 stalwarts.
In a statement on social media, which has since been deleted, JOTA announced that the duo, along with Gelael, will not return to the team for the upcoming WEC campaign.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce the departure of Sean Gelael, Stoffel Vandoorne and Tom Blomqvist from JOTA,” the team wrote.
“We thank them for all their hard work and dedication throughout the last year. It’s been a season we will look back at fondly, full of podiums and top tier racing.”
“We wish them all the best for the future and look forward to battling with them back out on track. Although they are no longer part of the JOTA team they will always be a part of the JOTA family!”
Although it remains yet to be confirmed, it would appear likely that the duo will follow team-mate Gelael to Team WRT’s LMP2 squad, which will expand to two cars for its sophomore campaign.