Kamui Kobayashi sets the pace in the #7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid during the crucial 24 Hours of Le Mans Test Day, a crucial pre-event test for the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The test day saw teams fine-tune their strategies and settings ahead of the iconic endurance race.
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In a dramatic turn of events, rising motorsport star Jack Hawksworth is set to make his LMGT3 debut at the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours, replacing the injured Mike Conway in the Toyota lineup and joining the Akkodis ASP team. The reigning IMSA GTD Pro champion’s valuable experience in Lexus machinery will be crucial as the WEC embraces the GT3 formula for 2023.
As the FIA WEC 2023 season gets underway, triple DTM champion Rene Rast has expressed optimism about BMW’s chances in the championship, citing Porsche’s victory in Qatar. However, Rast stressed that BMW still has work to do, considering their 10th-place finish that was promoted into the points after Cadillac’s disqualification. BMW Motorsport boss Andreas Roos also urged caution, emphasizing the need ‘to be realistic’ about the team’s expectations in their inaugural WEC programme.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s debut on a new Detroit street circuit was plagued by collisions and drama, leaving WEC fans disappointed with the event. Drivers like Richard Westbrook voiced frustration over the track’s lack of suitability for prototype racing, as the 90-degree corners and limited overtaking opportunities contributed to the chaotic on-track action.
French racing driver Doriane Pin has announced she will miss the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans and FRECA Zandvoort round due to a rib injury sustained during the Formula Regional European Championship. Rahel Frey will replace Pin in the Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 at Le Mans.
As the 2023 WEC calendar approaches its pinnacle event, the Le Mans 24 Hours, BMW Motorsport is optimistic about the credentials of newcomers Raffaele Marciello, Marco Wittmann, and Sheldon van der Linde. Despite their lack of experience in the endurance classic, the team believes this rookie lineup boasts the ‘perfect combination’ of youth and experience.
In a thrilling turn of events at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) race in Spa, the customer Jota squad emerged victorious, outperforming the factory entries. Drivers Will Stevens and Callum Ilott capitalized on a contentious restart to claim the top spot on the podium, marking a significant milestone for the privateer team.
BMW M Motorsport’s Andreas Roos is optimistic about the pace of their Hypercar entries in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), despite a disappointing 11th and 13th place finish at the Spa 6 Hours. The team believes they have the speed to contend for top positions at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours next month.
The FIA has announced significant Balance of Performance (BoP) changes for the upcoming Spa 6 Hours, round three of the 2024 WEC, with Ferrari’s 499P Le Mans Hypercar being the most heavily impacted. The Italian marque’s dominant performance at Imola last month has led to a 12kg increase in minimum weight and a 4kW (5bhp) reduction in maximum power for the Spa event.
With the World Endurance Championship (WEC) gearing up for the Spa 6 Hours, Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe’s technical director David Floury is bracing for a strong challenge from Italian rivals Ferrari. Despite tactical errors that allowed Toyota to claim victory at Imola, Floury believes Ferrari’s 499P Le Mans Hypercar will retain its advantage around the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.