Wayne Taylor Racing’s Debut at Le Mans
Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) is set to make its inaugural appearance at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours this year, joining a formidable lineup of Cadillac teams. The decision to field a Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh for the race is a significant milestone for the team, which has already claimed four victories at the Daytona 24 Hours. This move underscores WTR’s ambition to compete at the highest levels of endurance racing, adding another feather to their cap by participating in the world’s most famous endurance event. The team’s entry list features Ricky and Jordan Taylor, the sons of founder Wayne Taylor, alongside seasoned driver Filipe Albuquerque. Albuquerque, who has been part of the team since 2021, brings valuable experience and expertise, which will be crucial for WTR’s maiden Le Mans campaign.
Action Express Racing Returns to Le Mans
Along with WTR, Action Express Racing will also return to Le Mans, marking their third consecutive year in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The team will field its Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh, with full-season driver Jack Aitken taking the lead. He will be joined by Frederik Vesti and Felipe Drugovich. Notably, Vesti is balancing his Formula 1 reserve role with Mercedes while participating in the enduro, showcasing the versatility and dedication of modern drivers. Drugovich, an Aston Martin Formula 1 reserve, raced for the squad at Le Mans last year and recently competed at the Daytona 24 Hours. This blend of talent and experience ensures that Action Express Racing will be a competitive force at the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Cadillac’s Strong Representation
The entry of WTR and Action Express Racing at Le Mans is part of a robust four-car Cadillac assault on the WEC’s blue-riband event. These teams are joining the two full-season WEC entries from the British Jota team, which has taken over from Chip Ganassi Racing as Cadillac’s European representative. The confirmation of four Cadillac entries came when the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) released the full 62-car entry list for the race on Monday. The additional entry from Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing enhances Cadillac’s presence and strengthens their chances of achieving podium finishes. Earl Bamber, who partners with Jack Aitken in IMSA, will also be on the grid for Jota, adding another layer of familiarity and expertise to the team.
Porsche’s Triple Threat
Porsche Penske Motorsport will also field a third Porsche 963 LMDh at Le Mans, leveraging the automatic entry it secured for winning last year’s IMSA title. This will be the third consecutive year that Porsche has fielded three cars at the 24 Hours, maintaining their strong competitive stance. Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr, who have been part of the Penske team for the past two years, will once again take the wheel of the additional entry. However, the third driver for this car has yet to be confirmed. Pascal Wehrlein, who recently made his sportscar debut for the customer JDC-Miller team at Daytona, is a strong contender for the position. The presence of multiple top-tier drivers in the Porsche lineup ensures that they remain a formidable force in the Hypercar class.
Hypercar Class: A Competitive Field
The Hypercar class at Le Mans will see 21 cars on the grid this year, a slight reduction from last year’s 23 entries. The decrease in the Hypercar field has resulted in an increase in entries for the LMP2 and LMGT3 classes. There are now 17 cars in the LMP2 category, all of which are ORECA-Gibson 07 prototypes. This is two more than the 15 entries the ACO committed to when the LMP2 class was removed from the full WEC schedule ahead of the 2024 season. Among these entries are five invited cars from successful teams in the European and Asian Le Mans Series, including RLR M Sport, which last competed in Le Mans in 2019. This influx of talent and experience in the LMP2 class promises a highly competitive and exciting race.
LMP2 and LMGT3: Expanding the Field
The LMP2 class is further bolstered by the inclusion of several well-known teams. United Autosports and Inter Europol will each field two cars, with both teams having a proven track record in class victories at Le Mans. Algarve Pro Racing has also named 2023 F2 champion and Peugeot Hypercar reserve Theo Pourchaire in one of their ORECA prototypes, part of their comprehensive program that includes participation in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The LMGT3 class will feature three cars with automatic invites, including the Sky Tempesta Ferrari 296 GT3, which won the GT World Challenge Europe Bronze Cup. The AF Corse-run car will now compete under the Ziggo Sport Tempesta banner. The ACO has also revealed a six-car reserve list, including entries from Proton Competition, Vector Sport, and JMW Motorsport. This expanded field in LMP2 and LMGT3 adds to the diversity and competitiveness of the race, ensuring a thrilling spectacle for both teams and spectators alike.
Conclusion
The 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours is shaping up to be a landmark event with the debut of Wayne Taylor Racing and the continued strong presence of Cadillac and Porsche. The Hypercar class, while slightly reduced, remains a fierce battleground, while the LMP2 and LMGT3 classes have seen an influx of competitive entries. The blend of experienced drivers and talented rookies promises intense competition and exciting racing. As one of the most prestigious events in motorsport, Le Mans continues to attract top teams and drivers, setting the stage for a memorable and competitive race on June 14-15.
