Lexus aims to build on its impressive 2017 GT racing debut with a two-car entry of RC F GT3 coupes in Europe's prestigious 2018 Blancpain GT Series.
Lexus launched the RC F GT 3 in worldwide GT competition in 2017, racing in top-level events and championships, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the IMSA series in North America, and Japan's Super GT Series.
The ten-round Blancpain GT Series includes some of Europe's most famous circuits, highlighted by the 70th running of the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium on July 26-29.
The Emil Frey Lexus Racing Team has built two RC F GT 3 cars at its new workshop and headquarters in Safenwil, Switzerland.
The Swiss team made an impressive Lexus debut last season with its RC F GT 3 claiming four victories and challenging for the team and driver titles in the International GT Open Cup Series.
This year's confirmed driver line-up consists of the team's 2017 Lexus star Spain's Albert Costa Balboa, former Le Mans winner Stéphane Ortelli from Monaco, former F1 driver Christian Klien, fellow Austrian Norbert Siedler, Germany's Marco Seefried and Finland's Markus Paltalla.
Team principal Lorenz Frey said the whole team is highly motivated for the coming season.
"Even though the Blancpain GT Series is not a new championship for us, it is still a challenge to compete with two relatively new race cars," he said.
"However, we have strong driver line up and can build upon the know-how from last year."
The 2018 Blancpain GT Series includes a mix of Sprint and Endurance Cup events, beginning with a Sprint Cup meeting at Zolder in Belgium on April 6-8.
It then heads to Monza on April 20-22, Brands Hatch on May 5-6, Silverstone on May 18-20, Circuit Paul Ricard on June 1-2, Misano on June 22-24, the 24-hour classic at Spa-Francorchamps on July 26-29, Budapest on August 31-September 2, Nürburgring on September 14-16 and concludes in Barcelona on September 28-30.
