Extreme Speed Motorsports has confirmed that Pipo Derani will stay with the team for the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
Derani, 23, is the first driver to be confirmed at ESM next year, driving one of two Nissan-Onroak DPi prototypes.
The team secured its first victory with the new DPi package at Road America last week, courtesy of Derani and Johannes van Overbeek.
“I am really happy to confirm I will continue to race for Tequila Patrón ESM next season in what I am sure it will be a super competitive IMSA WeatherTech championship,” said Derani.
“All of us at ESM share a big desire to win and this team spirit is the fuel we need to continue to perform at the highest level possible at every track we go.”
"We will continue to push the boundaries in what’s left of this year’s championship in order to make sure we are the most prepared team once we hit the track at Daytona.”
The Brazilian has been with the team since 2016, when he helped secure victories at the Daytona and Sebring endurance classics.
Those performances prompted ESM to bring Derani back for the four endurance rounds this season, but the mid-campaign retirement of Ed Brown saw him take up a full-time seat for the rest of the calendar.
“We are super excited to announce that Pipo will be back for a third year with ESM next season,” said team owner Scott Sharp.
“On and off the track, Pipo has been exemplary and become part of the ESM family as he shows his talent again and again."
"We are working hard on all fronts for our 2018 program and Pipo will spearhead that attack."
Derani's 2017 season also featured an apperance with the Ford factory GT team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
That included warm-up races at the Silverstone and Spa rounds of the World Endurance Championship, which could clash with IMSA's visits to Long Beach and Mid-Ohio should the WEC calendar – set for release next month – retain parity.
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