The start of the FIA World Endurance Championship is quickly approaching and time is running out for a number of teams, including Rebellion Racing. (En Français)

While there have been reports that the Swiss team’s new Rebellion R-One will not be ready in time for the opening two rounds, and that its Lola B12/60 Toyotas would be put into action, although it now may be impossible for those 2013-spec cars to compete.

As with all teams, Rebellion has to meet the requirement of having at least one car at the official test in Paul Ricard at the end of March. While it’s a tight schedule, work continues in efforts to get the R-One ready in time.

The tub passed its first FIA crash test in Italy last week and will now return to ORECA’s facility in the south of France to begin construction of the first car.

It’s possible that the car could be present on the first day of testing before taking to the track, in what’s become an extended three-day FIA WEC test at the French circuit from March 28-30.

It’s not expected that the grandfathered Lolas will run. If the team is forced to revert to the backup plan, it would require an agreement between the FIA and ACO given the new LMP1 regulations.

Neither Rebellion or constructor ORECA have released any recent photos of the R-One, and none are expected until the presentation of the car itself. At best, photos of the bare chassis may be revealed beforehand.

In regards to the driver’s lineup, Mathias Beche, Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld have been confirmed, while it would not be surprising to see Andrea Belicchi also part of the squad this year.

Meanwhile, there’s been no official news on the Lotus program, the only other team that has committed to the LMP1-L class for 2014.