WEC: centenary Le Mans entry revealed!
Sixty-two cars are set to take part in the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans, round four of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship, taking place on 10–11 JuneSixty-two cars are set to take part in the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans, round four of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship, taking place on 10–11 June
16-STRONG HYPERCAR
Seven renowned manufacturers will have their eye on the prize in the premier class that will see a battle featuring the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Peugeot, Cadillac, Vanwall, Glickenhaus and Toyota.
The Japanese marque will be aiming for its sixth consecutive win. Porsche will be target its 20th overall victory, while Ferrari returns to the top tier at Le Mans after a 50-year-long hiatus. The Italian supercar maker can draw on nearly 75 years of expertise in the discipline and will be keen to add tenth Le Mans victory to its list of achievements.
After a promising start on the other side of the Atlantic, Cadillac will line up three cars, hoping to maintain its momentum. Peugeot will be looking to add fourth Le Mans victory to its record.
Glickenhaus stood on the Le Mans podium for the first time in 2022 and will want benefit from the experience gathered over the last two years. Finally, Vanwall, a newcomer to Hypercar at Le Mans, will aim to punch above his weight.
BIG NUMBERS IN LMP2 AND GTE AM
An impressive total number of 24 cars is set to form the LMP2 grid, eight of which are entered in the Pro/Am classification.
The LMGTE Am grid features 21 cars, with four prestigious marques will battling it out on the track: eight Porsche 911 RSR-19s, seven Ferrari 488 GTE-EVOs, five Aston Martin Vantage AMRs and one Chevrolet Corvette C8.R.
STAR-STUDDED STOCK CAR IN GARAGE56
Garage 56, reserved for an innovative car running outside the official classification, will host a modified NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entered by renowned stock car team Hendrick Motorsports.
The car will be shared by an all-star line-up Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button, Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is one of the biggest and greatest motor sport events in history as well as the traditional focal point of the FIA World Endurance Championship season. With the race celebrating its centenary and owing to the incredibly strong entry, it will be even more special this year. I would therefore like to wish the event organisers, the promoter, the fans, the competitors and teams; and all the FIA staff involved the best of luck with what will surely be an event to remember!”
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is poised to celebrate its 100th anniversary in June, in what will be the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. In addition to the extraordinary entertainment programme, the Centenary will also be celebrated on track, where we can expect a series of spectacular clashes. To witness the Centenary of such an iconic race is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Few events can boast such longevity and offer what promises to be one of the greatest sporting occasions in history.”
Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President: “The build-up for this year’s edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans starts today and the entry promises that there’s plenty to look forward to. The Hypercar class reached and impressive 16 cars, which is the highest seen in the top class at Le Mans in over a decade. This is exactly what we envisaged in the early days of developing the Hypercar concept. I cannot wait for the event to start with the traditional parade in the old town at Le Mans. This will be a very unique celebration of motor sport and endurance racing.”
Frédéric Lequien, FIA WEC CEO: “The entry list for this year’s centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which forms round four of the FIA WEC, is incredible. The history, passion and atmosphere at Le Mans is truly unique and we are excited to celebrate 100 years of this iconic race alongside the ACO. It is always a highlight of the WEC calendar for our teams and drivers to compete at Le Mans and this year will be very special indeed.”