Excitement Grows with Record 37-Car Entry for WEC ‘24 at Le Mans
FIA has confirmed a record 37 car grid for WEC ’24 comprising fourteen manufacturers, 19 Hypercars and 18 all-new LMGT3s.
The FIA has confirmed a record thirty-seven car full-time entry list for WEC ’24 comprising no less than fourteen manufacturers. With a best-ever 19 Hypercars set to race every 2024 World Endurance Championship round, the list also includes an 18-strong entry of all-new LMGT3 cars.
While they will not race in the rest of the championship, the old LMP2s are allowed at Le Mans, where several other entries traditionally boost the field.
Three Ferraris, But Toyota’s Back for No. 6
Looking at the list, Toyota Gazoo Racing will chase a sixth straight WEC title with pair of GR010 Hybrids, where Nyck De Vries replaces Jose Maria Lopez in the No. 7 car. Ferrari has however added a third 499P Hypercar to its line-up with former F1 star, Robert Kubica listed to drive the ‘privateer’ number 83 AF Corse entry, likely joined by an all-star line-up.
Porsche Penske Motorsport continues with two 963 Hypercars, where Matt Campbell replaces Dane Cameron in the Number 5. They will be backed by three privateer Porsches, two Hertz Team JOTA 963s, and a Proton Competition version. Cadillac Racing likewise returns with a fan favorite V-Series. R and Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn driving.
Peugeot TotalEnergies is also back in WEC ’24 with what are expected to be a pair of highly revised 9X8 Hybrid Hypercars as Stoffel Vandoorne joins the driver squad. They will have home grown French competition this year. Alpine returns to the top class for its Hypercar debut with the all-new A424. Mick Schumacher and Ferdinand Habsburg are among its driver line-up.
Valentino Rossi, Sheldon van der Linde for WEC ’24 with BMW
BMW M Team WRT joins the fray with South African star Sheldon van der Linde leading the No. 20 M Hybrid V8 and Dries Vanthoor in the sister 15 car. Lamborghini makes its Hypercar debut with Mirko Bortolotti confirmed driving the SC63. Isotta Fraschini completes the provisional list with Alejandro Garcia and JK Vernay named to drive the Tipo 6-C.
The WEC ’24 Hypercar entry list is still likely set to grow, especially once the season starts. A number of additional privateers also said to be waiting in the wings. Teams traditionally also bring extra cars into the fray at Le Mans, and at some of the other races too.
Just as exciting, all-new LMGT3 has attracted 18 full-time entries to the inaugural GT3-based season. South African star, Kelvin van der Linde and Toyota Hypercar refugee Lopez lead the two Akkodis ASP Lexus RCF driver line-ups. Team WRT has entered a pair of BMW M4 GT3s with MotoGP god Valentino Rossi named to drive the No. 46 entry and Augusto Farfus leading the No. 31 line-up.
All-new LMGT3 off to a Flying Start in WEC ‘24
Iron Lynx and the Iron Dames are back, but now driving Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2s. McLaren joins the WEC ‘24 fray with a pair of McLaren 720S GT3 Evos. TF Sport has teamed up with Corvette Racing to run a pair of Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs. Vista AF Corse has entered two Ferrari 296 GT3s, Heart of Racing Team and D’Station Racing a pair of Aston Martin Vantage GT3s. And Proton Competition a Ford Mustang GT3 and Manthey two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs.
Next year’s WEC also expands to eight rounds starting with a new round in Qatar 2 March. Imola replaces Monza as the Italian round on 2 April, before Spa on 11 May, and Le Mans 15-16 June. Then it’s another new round at Sao Paulo, before returning to COTA in Texas and then Japan and Bahrain. That sees the WEC travelling to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North, and South America. Like Formula 1, Africa somewhat glaringly remains absent.
Photos: Michele Lupini, BMW, Akkodis