Masson to replace injured Barnicoat at Imola
Akkodis ASP Team has announced that Esteban Masson will replace Ben Barnicoat for the forthcoming 6 Hours of Imola – round two of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign on 19-20 April – after the Brit was injured in a mountain-biking accident.
Barnicoat was one of the stars of the curtain-raising Qatar 1812km in February, falling just two tenths-of-a-second shy of snatching Akkodis’ first podium finish in FIA WEC competition with the Lexus RC F LMGT3.
Unfortunately, the former IMSA GTD Pro class champion subsequently picked up an injury while mountain-biking last month, ruling him out of racing at Imola as he rests and recovers.
Masson will duly step into the breach alongside Finn Gehrsitz and Arnold Robin in the #78 entry. The 20-year-old French-Canadian contested the full FIA WEC season with Akkodis ASP Team in 2024, scoring points at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Being familiar with the team and car, he is hoping to settle swiftly back into the groove.
“I’m grateful to return to FIA WEC with Akkodis ASP Team,” Masson acknowledged. “I’d obviously first like to wish Ben a great and speedy recovery. On a personal level, I’m really looking forward to being back with the team after such a great first round in Qatar, and the aim is to make the best out of it with Finn and Arnold!”
Akkodis ASP Team and the entire FIA WEC family send warm wishes to Ben Barnicoat for a quick convalescence and rapid return to the racetrack.
