Dumas in a Porsche prototype, BMW set GTP squads, and third Ferrari 499P lineup confirmed
Driver squads completed, more liveries revealed, and the first lines of new stories being written, OE Founder Tim Fullbrook summarises the news from the week.
It feels like this is the week 2024 has properly kicked-off. Question marks left over from the end of last year have been answered, seats have been filled, more liveries revealed, and the beginnings of some very exciting storylines.
It’s been a busy week in the sportscar world, so if you’ve had your head down trying to get through the month of January, here’s the stories you need to know about…
Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman complete third 499P squad
AF Corse and Ferrari have confirmed that young stars Yifei Ye and Robert Shwartzman will race in the #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P in the upcoming WEC season.
The duo join the previously announced Robert Kubica in what is arguably one of the most exciting entries across sportscar racing in 2024.
Shwartzman has been a key driver in Ferrari’s Academy setup, with the Israeli-flagged tasting success in his first sportscar season in the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup last year – winning the season finale at Barcelona. The 24-year old impressed at the post-season Rookie Test where he turned his first laps behind the wheel of the 499P, OE understands that this performance was influential in the decision.
Ye, who I cannot praise highly enough, signed at Ferrari as a factory driver in December, another step in a truly thrilling career in sportscars so far. The 2021 ELMS LMP2 championship was nearly coupled with a Le Mans class win, but his performances as part of JOTA’s maiden Hypercar season showed exactly what the young Chinese driver is capable of.
The two young guns, combined with the sheer brilliance of a driver like Robert Kubica, and this trio could be set to upset the factory cars, if not the Hypercar hierarchy.
Additionally, Ferrari announced their factory lineups for the #50 and #51 cars will remain the same.
Dumas and Picariello join Proton for Daytona
Sportscar legend Romain Dumas will join Proton Competition’s #5 GTP entry for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, making his first appearance in a top category Porsche prototype for the first time since 2016.
The 46-year old will arrive at the ROAR straight off the plane from his eighth Dakar Rally and into the seat of a 963 LMDh for the first time at a competitive event.
Joining Dumas, and retained drivers Gimmi Bruni and Neel Jani, is Porsche star Alessio Picariello – the two-time ELMS GTE champion with Proton will be making his prototype race debut.
A reminder that Proton debut this stunning black-and-gold Mustang Sampling livery at Daytona. The driver squad might be hot, but this paint scheme is scorching.
BMW finalise full-season IMSA lineups
BMW M Team RLL have confirmed the eight drivers that will share the two M Hybrid V8s in the GTP class this year.
Philipp Eng returns in the #24 car, joined by factory driver and former M8 GTE ace Jesse Krohn who replaces Augusto Farfus – the Brazilian now in an Endurance Cup seat alongside his WEC LMGT3 role.
The lineup of the #25 car remains unchanged, with Watkins Glen winners Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly in for the full-season joined by Maxime Martin for Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans.
BMW also confirmed that WRT Hypercar driver Dries Vanthoor and (likely Hypercar driver) Rene Rast will act as fourth drivers for Daytona in the #24 and #25 BMWs respectively.
Alex Palou makes Daytona return with Cadillac
Two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been announced as the fourth driver in the #01 Cadillac Racing GTP entry for the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The 26-year old joins full-season drivers Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande, as well as returning Endurance Cup driver and IndyCar legend Scott Dixon for the opening round of the IMSA season.
Palou makes his second appearance at Daytona for the Chip Ganassi squad, having last competed at the event in 2022.
Lello to make BMW debut at Bathurst 12h
Raffaele Marciello will make his first appearance as a BMW factory driver at the IGTC opening round, the Bathurst 12h.
The Swiss-flagged driver was set to make his first appearance for the Munnich marque at the delayed Dubai 24h, but WRT’s withdrawal sees him forced to wait till the Mount Panorama event before taking his first race stint behind the wheel of the M4 GT3.
‘Lello’ will race in the #46 Team WRT entry alongside, you guessed it, Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin.
Spike to join Rexy at AO Racing
The team that love their large lizard liveries continue to provide for the sportscar world as AO Racing reveal ‘Spike’ the LMP2.
Set to be driven in the full IMSA season by PJ Hyett and Paul-Loup Chatin, the purple Oreca 07 joins the fan favourite ‘Rexy’ #77 GTD PRO Porsche on the grid.
January, despite being cold and dark here at OE HQ, has seen my keyboard and thumbs setting purple sectors to cover all this news – and I get the feeling that somehow there is still more to come.
Some big seats still up for grabs in WEC and IMSA so make sure you stay tuned to OE for coverage of the latest.
I’m sure that, like me, you are counting down the days to Daytona. If you’re reading this on Friday, it’s just over two weeks till we go racing.
Bring it on!
Tim Fullbrook
OE Founder