Stephane Sarrazin will make a full-time return to the World Endurance Championship this year with the Russian SMP Racing squad.
The 42-year-old Frenchman has been confirmed behind the wheel of a Dallara BR1-Gibson prototype, which will compete for overall WEC and Le Mans honours in the LMP1 category.
His new role with SMP confirms that Sarrazin has left the Toyota factory LMP1 programme after six years.
Sarrazin was part of Toyota’s original WEC lineup in 2012, following a five-year stint with the Peugeot factory programme.
He assumed a reserve and test driver role last year, but continued to make sporadic race appearances in the team's additional Le Mans car.
"It's great to join the SMP Racing team this season," said Sarrazin.
"This is a new challenge and an excellent experience for me after six seasons of working with Toyota."
"I have known SMP Racing for a long time – this is a strong and experienced team."
"I am convinced that we will achieve all the stated goals set for the new BR1 car. To do this, I will put all my strength, positive attitude and accumulated experience into the role."
Vitaly Petrov and Mikhail Aleshin are so far the only other drivers confirmed on the SMP roster, with three more names to be made public before the Prologue test in April.
Exact lineups have also yet to be finalised, although Aleshin and Petrov were named in different cars during the WEC entry list reveal last month.
Sarrazin, meanwhile, becomes the third former works LMP1 driver to join a privateer squad for 2018-19, after ex-Porsche stars Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani signed with Rebellion.
Toyota Gazoo Racing team principal Hisatake Murata paid homage to Sarrazin's time with the company, which included 37 race appearances, 17 visits to the podium, and three victories.
“Stephane is one of our original Le Mans drivers from 2012 so we have experienced many emotions together,” said Murata.
“He brought experience and determination to our project, contributing significantly to the development of our team and technology.”
“For this we sincerely thank him and wish him well for the future. We are looking forward to competing with Stephane again in WEC this season, which we expect to be an exciting one for endurance fans.”
A team statement added: "The whole team would like to thank Stéphane for his enthusiasm and dedication during six seasons of high-level competition and wish him well for his new challenge, racing for the SMP Racing team in WEC."
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