The Russian SMP Racing squad has confirmed its all-professional driver lineup for this year's Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and 24 Hours of Spa.
Former IndyCar racer Mikhail Aleshin will co-drive the team's single Ferrari 488 GT3 with factory drivers Davide Rigon and Miguel Molina, who have been retained from the 2017 programme.
Aleshin, who is also set to race SMP's new LMP1 car in the World Endurance Championship, has replaced Viktor Shaitar in the lineup.
The 30-year-old will be making his first Blancpain GT start since 2013, when he drove a Russian-entered Ferrari 458 in selected long distance rounds.
Last season, the SMP crew finished fourth in the BGTS Endurance standings, during its debut year with an all-professional driver lineup.
Its best result was a second place finish at the Paul Ricard 1000km.
As was the case last year, SMP has not filed an entry to the affiliated Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup for 2018.
"Blancpain is one of the most famous GT series in the world," said Boris Rotenberg, founder of SMP Racing.
"In each season there are more than 50 of the best driver from around the world who are very closely matched – half of the field is often split by no more than 2-3 seconds."
"To win in Blancpain is prestigious, and, of course, it is an invaluable experience for any driver. Mikhail has extensive experience with appearances in various championships, including endurance races, and his team-mates, Miguel and Davide, have a good experience in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup."
Aleshin added: "I'm happy to be in a Ferrari car."
"Cooperation with this team is very valuable and important for us. Miguel and David are very experienced and strong racers. I'm sure we can win not only races, but also the title."
Like Aleshin, Rigon will balance his Blancpain GT commitments with this year's WEC, with the Italian slated to drive one of the two factory AF Corse Ferraris in the GTE-Pro category.
Molina, meanwhile, is not set to race full-time in the WEC after the former DTM star was replaced in the Spirit of Race GTE-Am Ferrari lineup by Giancarlo Fisichella.
However, the Spaniard is expected to appear behind the wheel of an AF Corse-entered Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
The BGTS Endurance Cup campaign begins at Monza on April 22.
