Defending LMP2 champion Sam Bird has moved into the GTE Pro class with the Ferrari factory AF Corse team for the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
Bird previously enjoyed ties with Ferrari when racing for AF Corse in GTE Am for the 6 Hours of Silverstone and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014.
The Briton joined G-Drive in LMP2 for the following season and claimed four victories en route to the championship alongside Roman Rusinov and Julien Canal.
Bird will now move into GTE Pro with the factory AF Corse team for 2016, joining Davide Rigon in the #71 488 GTE car, taking the place of James Calado.
Calado moves up from the #71 to join two-time WEC GT champion Gianmaria Bruni in the #51 car after Toni Vilander’s move to the United Sportscar Championship.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Ferrari family,” Bird said in a short statement on his website.
“It’s a true honour to be chosen to represent the legendary Prancing Horse in the World Endurance Championship. Thank you to everyone in Maranello for this wonderful opportunity.”
The 2016 WEC season kicks off with the 6 Hours of Silverstone on April 17.
