More Hypercars are joining the lineup this year. It’s truly remarkable to witness the growth of the FIA WEC over the past few years. From a mere five cars in the Hypercar class in 2021 (and four in GTE Pro), the addition of new manufacturers and teams has led to a jam-packed entry list for 2024. Peugeot’s entry in 2022 boosted the numbers, and Ferrari, Porsche, and Cadillac followed suit in 2023, resulting in 13 full-season entries and 16 at Le Mans. But hold on, because there’s even more to come.
The entry list for the 2024 WEC season features 19 Hypercars and 18 new-for-2024 LMGT3s, replacing the GTE class. And we can expect even more cars in each class for Le Mans, including the return of LMP2. Unfortunately, the expanding Hypercar and LMGT3 classes have led to the exclusion of LMP2 from the full season. Nonetheless, the competition promises to be intense.
When it comes to the Hypercar class, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Toyota as the team to beat this year. While Ferrari showed impressive pace and won Le Mans last year, Toyota’s extensive experience in WEC makes them the primary target. Toyota’s Brendon Hartley acknowledges the pressure but also sees it as a motivating factor. The team is determined to stay on top and is excited to introduce their new driver, Nyck de Vries, to the lineup.
Ferrari poses the biggest threat to Toyota among the numerous challengers in the Hypercar class. The Italian manufacturer’s Le Mans victory in 2023 and the addition of three Ferrari prototypes to the grid this year make them a formidable competitor. The customer Ferrari, driven by Yifei Ye, Robert Schwartzman, and Robert Kubica, adds further strength to the Ferrari presence in the class.
Porsche, with five cars on the grid, is back for another year. After a year of learning with the 963, the team is ready to put their knowledge into action. The performance improved throughout last year, and Porsche showcased their potential at the Prologue. They are determined to achieve their goals and challenge for victory.
Peugeot and Cadillac are the returning teams, each with their own set of challenges. Peugeot’s new 9X8 has undergone significant revisions, and the team hopes to overcome their previous struggles with traction and ground effect. Cadillac, on the other hand, has a largely unchanged car and aims to build on their progress from last year.
Alpine, WRT, BMW, Lamborghini, and Isotta Fraschini are the new teams in the Hypercar class. Alpine has introduced a proper Hypercar, the Alpine A424, built by Oreca. WRT and BMW bring their M Hybrid V8, which has already raced in the United States. Lamborghini enters with their SC63, and Isotta Fraschini returns to motor racing with a V6 turbocharged engine and hybrid technology.
In the LMGT3 class, there will be 18 cars representing various manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, Ford, Lexus, Lamborghini, BMW, and McLaren. These teams are privately entered, but the lines between manufacturer and team can sometimes blur. The #46 WRT BMW M4 GT3 and the #81 TF Sport are among the cars to watch out for in this class.
With such a diverse and competitive lineup, the 12th season of the WEC is set to be an exhilarating one. If you’re a fan of top-tier sportscar racing, this is the series to follow in 2024.