Bamber searching for new heights in Mexico

Earl Bamber

Expat Whanganui driver Earl Bamber is looking forward to scorching pavement in Mexico City for the first time as the 2017 World Endurance Championship reaches the fifth round this weekend.

The '6 Hours of Mexico' is the first round held outside Europe this season, with Bamber's Porsche LMP Team alongside Palmerston North's Brendon Hartley and Germany's Timo Bernhard leading the championship by 30 points from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Both Bamber and Hartley are desperate to do well after the announcement by Porsche that they will not enter a factory team in the series next year.

It will be Bamber's first time racing at altitude.

"I have been to Mexico City but never raced there," he said.

"It is always good to experience a new circuit and I'm also happy to get back at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid after the long summer break.

"I hope our aero package works well in Mexico.

"Of course, we lose downforce because of the high altitude, but that's the same for everybody."

While others competitors relaxed during the Northern Hemisphere summer break, Bamber spent some his time off back where he first had international success.

"I was doing some coaching in the Carrera Cup Asia junior programme and I was very pleased to see my 23-year old brother [William] winning another race. I'm very proud of him."