Will Ferrari “Three-peat”, or can somebody stop
their dominance?
Somewhat feel like I’m going thru the motions
here, since the annual running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans makes me think that
summer is already done! Having nearly reached the zenith of another year’s
increasing sunlight whilst pondering where did thoust Gory time go? As soon
it’ll be time to put another log on the fire and the kettle on the boil!
Although I’ll
admit that I do enjoy going thru the entire entry list and seeing what driver
names I recognize…
This year’s running of the 93rd 24 Huers du
Mans commences this Saturday, June 14th. And concludes the following day when formula 1 races at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
and IndyCar races underneath the lights at Gateway. (World Wide Technology
Raceway)
There’s a total of 62 entries in three classes.
With le Crème de la Crème Hypercar
featuring 21 racecars. LMP2 with 17 entrants, and 24 LMGT3 Saloons.
The Hypercar category consists of eight
marques, with four Cadillac V-Series.R and Porsche 963’s leading the way. Whilst
la Scuderia, nee Ferrari has three of it’s dominating 499P’s entered. Followed
by a further five manufacturers running the mandatory two car teams, i.e.;
Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Peugeot and Toyota.
The Alpine A424, BMW M8 Hybrid, Cadillac
v-Series.R and Porsche 963 all conform to the Le Mand Daytona Hybrid (LMDH)
rules. While the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Ferrari 499P, Peugeot 9X8 and Toyota
GR010 conform to the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) rules.
Six of these eight chassis are propelled by
varying displacement turbocharged engines, with only the Aston Martin and
Cadillac being naturally aspirated. With the Valkyrie eschewing hybrid
assistance to it’s glorious Cosworth V-12. While the Caddy’s 5.5-litre V-8 runs
the spec LMHD hybrid component.
With the entire 62 car field racing under
Balance of Performance (BoP) requirements. Along with the virtual “energy” tank
storage and mandatory torque sensors.
And whilst the Porsche Penske 963 Panzerwagens
have won four of five races in IMSA GTP competition to date. On thoust Gory
Atlantic’s puddle side. It’s the Ferrari 499P that’s swept all three FIA World
endurance Championship events leading up to Le Mans.
As the AF Corse No. 50 won at the season
opening Qatar 1,812km round. Followed by the Seester’ No. 51 of James Calado,
Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi winning back-to-back at the Six
Hours of Imola and Spa.
Whilst just learning that Ferrari swept the podium
at Qatar and claimed a 1-2 finish at Spa, Momma Mia!
Ferrari is also aiming for a three-peat at
Circuit de la Sarthe this year, having won the first two Hypercar class races
the past two years. Seeing both the #51 victorious in 2023, and the #50 with
Antonio Fuoco,Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen the defending race winners.
Yet the entire field is made up of very strong
competizione, as Y’all can never count out the Toyota’s. Whilst El Capitano’,
nee Roger Penske dearly wishes to win Le Mans. One of the very few Jewell races
He hasn’t won…
The Cadillac boyz’ should be up front, while
the Alpine and Peugeot are both “Sleepers”. As the only unknown quantity is the
Aston Martin, making it’s Le Mans debut, and therefore most likely just happy
to finish the race. Although obviously they’ll be hoping for a good debut
showing…
Almost forgot the BMW’s, with the No. 20 BMW
finishing runner-up at Imola. As how could I overlook one of my favourites,
i.e.; Kevn Bacon’ Magnussen in the No. 15 entry. While the M8 Hybrid has
qualified on pole in IMSA GTP competition the first four races this season.
The LMP2 category features a race inside a
race, with eight P2 entrants, and nine Pro Am (PA) entries. As the Pro Am class
features one Bronze rated amateur driver.
Have already mentioned some of the IMSA
competitors, while a few others that tripped my No. 4 wire are the No. 18 IDEC
Sport with Jamie Chadwick, Andre Lotterer and Mathys Jaubert; Hyundai’s Genesiss
Magna “Development” squad.
McLaren major domo Zakery Brown and Richard
Dean’s United Autosport team is always strong with it’s Nos. 22-23 entries.
Having won last year’s LMP2 class with it’s No. 22 entry driven by Oliver
Jarvis, Nolan Siegel and Bijay Garg
Bad Arse Sports Car Ace Jarvis slots into the
team’s No. 23 Pro Am entry this year, joined by ex-IndyCar driver Ben Hanley
and Daniel Schneider. Whilst the Seester’ entry hosts a stout lineup which I’ve
already mentioned in the previous No fenders IMSA Interlopers story.
The No. 25 Algarve Pro Racing entry sees “Teddy
Porkchop”, aka Theo Pourchaire joined by Liechtenstein’s Matthias Kaiser and
Spain’s Lorenzo Fluxa. As very happy to see that Pourchaire’s still racing,
even though He should be in Indy Cars.
Last year’s LMP2 Pro Am category was won by AF
course’s No. 183 entry, with Ben Barnicoat, Francois Perrodo and Nicolas
Varrone. As Perrodo is the only holdover for this year’s entry, being joined by
Antonio Felix da Costa and Matthieu Vaxivier.
While I’ll be rootin’ for the #199 AO by TF
entry, which basically is an IMSA entry, with a stout lineup that I’ve
previously mentioned. Although I don’t think it’ll be sporting any sort of
Dinosaur teamed livery, Eh?
As I’ll split this mesmerizing story into two part harmony, and preview the LMGT3 class in a separate No Fenders post…
