The 2024 WEC entry list in SEVEN key stories
These entry lists can be confusing, so OE Founder Tim Fullbrook takes a look at the additions and absences you should know about.
The official 2024 WEC entry list has been announced, wahey! Now what typically follows is a mess of trying to work out who’s ended up where, what cars we’ll see on track, and who’s name is missing from the list – and to see whether any of those rumours hanging around the paddock were actually true.
In all honesty whilst there are still plenty of gaps to be filled, today’s entry list is overflowing with storylines every sportscar fan should know about. Take a look…
1. Hypercar just keeps growing
The top class will feature 19 cars. Yep, I had to scratch my eyes when I read that too. From a measly three cars when the class debuted at 6h Spa in 2021, a number that only double halfway through 2022, to now welcoming nearly 20 entries for the 2024 season.
The WEC class is bolstered by two Alpine A424s, two of BMW’s already race-winning M Hybrid V8s, an additional JOTA, (see below) another Ferrari 499P (see point 4) and a single entry from Lamborghini SC63 and Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 Competitizione LMH.
The worthwhile sacrifice of LMP2 full-season has enabled this increase across the two classes, but has primarily enabled the WEC to welcome more manufacturers to the top category.
This might be a boom period for sportscar racing, but it’s not slowing down just yet.
2. JOTA double-up in 2024
It might well have been a story discussed at length throughout 2023, but nothing beats confirmation on paper. Hertz Team JOTA will be expanding to two Porsche 963s in the top class next year.
The #12 car is headlined by existing driver Will Stevens, and with Antonio felix da Costa tasked with focusing on Formula E, and rumours of Yifei Ye’s departure, there’s two gaps to fill here.
Also in the #38 car, WEC LMP2 race-winner Oliver Rasmussen gets the call-up to the top class. The 23-year old Dane is currently the only driver announced in the car, and clearly JOTA have put faith in their current driver pool.
With F1 talent still drifting about, I wouldn’t just watch this space, I’d be grabbing a camp chair and sitting outside it with ample snacks making sure I didn’t miss a thing.
3. Isotta Fraschini in, Vanwall out
There has been a significant shift in the independent Hypercar teams for 2024, with Vanwall being rejected by the Selection Committee and newcomers Isotta Fraschini getting the nod.
For Vanwall, this will mark the second time they have been unsuccessful in gaining entry to the Hypercar class after choosing to focus on development in 2022. Their programme is surrounded by performance issues that may continue to impact their likelihood of getting back to the top class.
Isotta Fraschini will bring their hybrid Tipo 6 Competizione LMH to the top class with hopes of challenging the established names. Behind the programme are several notable contributors, engine developers HWA, aerodynamic involvement from Williams Advanced Engineering, and a hybrid system from Bosch who build the spec-system for the LMDh cars.
The key to IF’s longevity in the class will be keeping out of trouble, and today’s Entry List was preceded by a rather concerning split with selected factory team Vector Sport.
4. Third Ferrari 499P confirmed
After last week’s confirmation of Robert Kubica signing for AF Corse, today’s Entry List has confirmed that the Polish driver will headline a third Ferrari 499P on the WEC grid.
Entered under the AF Corse name, the #83 car so far only has the reigning LMP2 champion listed as part of the lineup, but reports from recent days have pointed towards Ferrari Academy Driver Robert Shwartzman joining and potentially Yifei Ye jumping from JOTA to land a seat at the Ferrari team.
Is it a factory effort? Well, by regulation it’s not allowed to be, but the lines are certainly blurred with AF Corse’s presence as very much their own company that operate Ferrari’s at the request of the manufacturer themselves, or via supported customer efforts. Definitely more to come on this one…
5. The chosen 9 LMGT3 marques
Talk has swirled around which LMGT3 hopefuls would get the green light to race two cars in the exclusive category – and the 2024 Entry List has confirmed the nine lucky brands to get those coveted spaces.
BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche pick up spaces via their dual-Hypercar programmes, with Corvette and Lexus being granted spaces via sister companies Cadillac and Toyota.
Aston Martin are awarded two spaces owing to their outstanding loyalty to the former GTE classes, with returnees Ford given the go-ahead.
That left McLaren to snap up the final spots, leaving Audi and Mercedes-AMG on the outside looking in at the new category.
As soon as the British manufacturer was aligned with champion LMP2 team United Autosports, and with rumours of a future top class car, there was no doubt that McLaren would be present in the category.
6. Valentino Rossi joins first LMGT3 grid
Valentino Rossi will make his WEC debut in 2024 as he makes the step into the world championship with Team WRT – in, of course, a car carrying the #46.
Rossi has raced with the outfit since making his full-time switch from two wheels to four, and has found success this year behind the wheel of the M4 GT3 – which he’ll be driving in WEC.
‘The Doctor’ has been very public in his aspirations to race at the 24h Le Mans, and this promotion to the WEC will see him tackle the French enduro for the first time. His teammates are still to be announced, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see GTWC partner Maxime Martin placed alongside the Italian, with a Bronze driver still to be announced.
7. Star Bronzes continue in WEC
The LMGT3 class carries over the same driver requirements as the GTE AM class, so every three driver lineup must contain a Bronze, a Silver, and one Platinum/Gold-rated driver.
As such, Bronze drivers will form a crucial part of the next era of WEC GT racing, and to no surprise a number of notable drivers will carry on into this new chapter.
Heart of Racing Team Principal Ian James heads the #27 Aston Martin, Thomas Flohr who has raced in WEC since 2017 will continue as part of the #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari team which carries his company name (Vistajet) and Iron Lynx’s Claudio Schiavoni will drive the #60 Lamborghini.
After winning the LMGTE title in ELMS with Proton Competition, Ryan Hardwick continues with the team as he takes up the Bronze spot in the #88 Ford Mustang – the American chasing a first race win at the world championship level in-sync with a big step away from Porsche machinery.
2024 is undoubtedly going to be one of the biggest and most exciting WEC seasons of the last decade, and will be offering quite simply the highest caliber of sportscar teams, drivers, and machines.
Wouldn’t expect any less from the World Championship.
Tim Fullbrook
Founder, Only Endurance
Not surprising to see Vanwall dumped. Will they be allowed into Le Mans ? Agree though a concern if IF don't align an established team asap otherwise they will become the new Vanwall or worse, who at least had experience
Surprised not to see one of the most notable Bronze drivers of 2023 mentioned: Sarah Bovy in the #83 Iron Dames Lamborghini. Unfortunate that we won't see more of her fantastic battles with Ben Keating from last year, but they ought to be contenders right from the start.