Photo Credit: ACO
As the clock ticks down to the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, the anticipation builds for what is set to be a showcase of endurance racing at its finest. The official entry list, published following last week’s nomination deadline, reveals a stellar lineup poised to take on the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe on June 15–16.
In the highly competitive Hypercar class, the field boasts 23 entries, headlined by the additional factory Penske Porsche 963 LMDh. The team has confirmed its full driver lineup, with Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr joining forces with Mathieu Jaminet, who was the sole driver announced in the initial entry list back in February. This trio, representing Penske Porsche Motorsport’s IMSA SportsCar Championship squad, is expected to be a formidable force on the track. Dane Cameron, another member of the PPM driving squad, will be on standby as a reserve for the team’s three 963s.
Cadillac has made waves with its announcement that Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin Formula 1 test and reserve driver, will take the vacant seat in the V-Series. R LMDh is run by Action Express Racing. This move signifies Cadillac’s commitment to securing top-tier talent for their Le Mans campaign.
The LMP2 class is equally brimming with talent. Fabio Scherer, part of last year’s class-winning Inter Europol crew, joins the Nielsen Racing team alongside IndyCar driver Kyffin Simpson. They will share the ORECA Gibson 07 with David Heinemeier Hansson, aiming to replicate last year’s success.
Proton Competition has enlisted Bent Viscaal and Maceo Capietto to join Jonas Ried, son of team owner Christian Ried, in their ORECA. Viscaal transitions from the team’s European Le Mans Series-only entry, replacing Matteo Cairoli, who shifts to the Iron Lynx Lamborghini team in the Hypercar class.
The Pro-Am sub-class of LMP2 will see British driver Alex Quinn team up with Louis Deletraz and PJ Hyett in the AO by the TF squad’s ORECA. Meanwhile, United Autosports has confirmed that its #22 entry will be piloted by team regular Oliver Jarvis, alongside Nolan Siegel and Bijoy Garg.
Inter Europol has announced that former Formula 2 driver Clement Novolak will expand his program with the Polish team to include Le Mans, partnering with Jakub Smiechowski and Valdislav Lomko. However, this leaves no room for the originally nominated Tom Dillmann.
In the GT ranks, Ferrari factory driver Daniel Serra joins the GR Racing squad, teaming up with Riccardo Pera. They will pilot the GR Ferrari 296 GT3 alongside team boss Martin Wainwright. Ford factory driver Christopher Mies, a two-time Nurburgring 24 Hours victor with Audi, is set to make his Le Mans debut. He will share the additional Ford Mustang GT3 fielded by Proton with team owner Ried and Ben Tuck.
As the reserve list narrows to four, the excitement only intensifies. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours is gearing up to be an unforgettable chapter in the annals of motorsport history.
Ig @ mannu mwendwa
