24h Le Mans
Twenty-four LMP2 cars will take the start in the 24 Hours Centenary, eight of which will be shared by a combination of professional and amateur drivers (Pro/Am). There are several contenders for victory in this highly competitive class.
#9 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Bent Viscaal (NLD) – Juan Manuel Correa (USA) – Filip Ugran (ROU)
#63 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Doriane Pin (FRA) – Daniil Kvyat – Mirko Bortolotti (ITA)
PREMA RACING
#9 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Bent Viscaal (NLD) – Juan Manuel Correa (USA) – Filip Ugran (ROU)
#63 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Doriane Pin (FRA) – Daniil Kvyat – Mirko Bortolotti (ITA)
This Italian team earned a second place finish in LMP2 last year for its rookie participation and is fielding a Lamborghini in the Hypercar class this season. The marque's official drivers, Mirko Bortolotti and Daniil Kvyat from Formula 1 (110 Grand Prix), will join forces with Doriane Pin (age 19) who distinguished himself in 2022 by winning the Trofeo Pirelli Europe in the Ferrari Challenge, the 24 Hours of Spa and the 4 Hours of Portimão in the ELMS. Three young drivers from the ELMS will take the wheel of the #9 sister car. This team's crews make it a contender for victory in the class.
#10 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Ryan Cullen (GBR) – Matthias Kaiser (LIE) – Gabriel Aubry (FRA)
This British team founded by former JOTA team manager Gary Holland will take its second start in the 24 Hours after finishing 22nd in LMP2 last year, a result that does not reflect its potential. Vector Sport and drivers Ryan Cullen, Matthias Kaiser and Gabriel Aubry hope to finish stronger at the Centenary all while remaining dedicated to the development of Italian marque Isotta Fraschini's Hypercar project. Gary Holland: "It's once again incredibly competitive, but we are confident that, with the lessons learned and experience gained in 2022, we will be in a strong position to challenge for the race wins this season. We have a solid package in place, a great team of people with relevant expertise, and we know exactly what we need to do to win."
#13 – ORECA 07-Gibson – John Farano (CAN) – Ricky Taylor (USA) – René Rast (DEU) – Pro/Am
This Canadian team earned an invitation to the 24 Hours Centenary after clinching an LMP2 win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and will join forces with TDS Racing. The #13 ORECA is expected to sport Vaillante's blue, white and red for its participation in LMP2 Pro/Am. John Farano: "To compete in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in particular this year’s edition being the 100th year anniversary of the event, is a distinct honour and a dream that very few racers worldwide will have the privilege to be a part of. This is a race that every driver in the world wants to win, and I wholeheartedly believe that Tower Motorsports with TDS Racing has the resources to achieve this goal."
#14 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Rodrigo Sales (USA) – Mathias Beche (FRA) – Ben Hanley (GBR) – Pro/Am
British team Nielsen Racing is heading into its third participation after 2020 and 2022 after finishing 16th in LMP2 last year with Rodrigo Sales and Ben Hanley already on board. The duo will welcome French driver Mathias Beche. The LMP2 Pro/Am car will be given a special paint scheme in honour of the Centenary: an artist has designed a livery that highlights the history of the race as well as iconic drivers and circuit corners.
#22 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Philip Hanson (GBR) – Filipe Albuquerque (PORT) – Frederick Lubin (GBR)
#23 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Joshua Pierson (USA) – Tom Blomqvist (GBR) – Oliver Jarvis (GBR)
United Autosports is a mainstay of the LMP2 class and back for revenge after the #22 ORECA was catapulted into a gravel trap by WRT's #31 ORECA in the first seconds of the race last year. Both of the team's cars have a real chance of winning thanks to fast and experienced driver line-ups. Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque (eight participations each) in the #22 have been teammates since 2018 and will be joined by rookie Frederick Lubin (age 18). The #23 will be shared by Josh Pierson (one participation), Tim Blomqvist (two) and Oliver Jarvis (10, and 2017 LMP2 winner with Jackie Chan DC Racing). The #23 won the 6 Hours of Portimão ahead of the #22 this season.
#28 – ORECA 07-Gibson - David Heinemeier Hansson (DNK) – Oliver Rasmussen (DNK) – Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA)
While this British team gives the Hypercar class a try with a Porsche 963, it will retain a car in LMP2. JOTA claimed the top step on the class podium last year and will be seeking a second win in a row with David Heinemeier Hansson (nine participations), Oliver Rasmussen (one) and Haas F1 reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi (one). The outfit is currently 8th in the FIA Endurance LMP2 Teams Championship standings.
#30 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Neel Jani (CHE) – René Binder (AUT) – Nicolas Pino (CHL)
Twenty-sixth in LMP2 last year, Duqueine Team is hoping for a podium finish, perhaps even to reach the top step. With 2016 winner with Porsche Neel Jani, René Binder (four participations) and Nicolas Pino (age 18), it could happen. The outfit kicked off the European Le Mans Series season with 2nd place at the 4 Hours of Barcelona.
#31 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Sean Gelael (IND) - Ferdinand Habsburg-Lothringen (AUT) - Robin Frijns (NLD)
#41 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Rui Andrade (AGO) – Robert Kubica (POL) – Louis Delétraz (CHE)
Ahead of its involvement in Hypercar with BMW in 2024, the Belgian team would like to secure another class win (the first was in 2021 with the #31 entrusted to Robin Frijns and Ferdinand Habsburg-Lothringen) after losing to JOTA last year. The teammates will welcome Sean Gelael. The #41 sister car will be driven by 2021 ELMS champions Robert Kubica and Louis Delétraz, and Rui Andrade.
#32 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Mark Kvamme (USA) – Jan Magnussen (DNK) – Anders Fjordbach (DNK)
#34 – ORECA 07-Gibson - Jakub Smiechowski (POL) – Albert Costa (ESP) – Fabio Scherrer (CHE)
For its fifth participation, Inter Europol Competition received two invitations. The double entry will give the Polish team an advantage in its goal for a class podium. The #34 is entered full-time in the FIA WEC and finished 4th at the 1000 Miles of Sebring, 10th at the 6 Hours of Portimão and 3rd at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
#35 – ORECA 07-Gibson - André Negrão (BRA) – Memo Rojas (MEX) – Oliver Caldwell (GBR)
#36 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Matthieu Vaxiviere (FRA) – Julien Canal (FRA) – Charles Milesi (FRA)
Determined to be successful in the Hypercar class, Alpine Elf Endurance Team has confirmed its commitment to motorsport by fielding two prototypes in the 24 Hours and FIA WEC this year. Launched in 2013, Alpine's recent programme in endurance racing has earned the marque two European trophies, two world titles and three class wins at Le Mans. Team manager Philippe Sinault: "We are racers, and it was unthinkable for Alpine not to be part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary celebrations. We absolutely wanted to be a part of it as competition runs in our blood and DNA, and it also allows us to get ourselves in working order with most of the technical staff who will take up the challenge that awaits us in 2024."
La #35 est piloté par André Negrão (six participations), Memo Rojas (six participations) et Oliver Caldwell, ancien pilote de monoplace et membre de l’Alpine Academy. La #36 est confiée à Matthieu Vaxiviere (six participations), Julien Canal (13 participations) et Charles Milesi (trois participations).
#37 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) – Alexandre Coigny (CHE) - Malthe Jakobsen (DNK) – Pro/Am
#47 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Reshad de Gérus (FRA) – Vladislav Lomko – Simon Pagenaud (FRA)
This Swiss team is writing a new chapter with two cars this year, and the arrival of 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud is a real coup at every level: technical, experience and speed. The outfit's motto is "passion, ambition and youth." Veteran driver Nicolas Lapierre (15 participations), who had a hand in developing the Alpine Hypercar, will team up with Alexandre Coigny (one participation) and rookie Malthe Jakobsen. Reshad de Gérus (Alpine Elf Team reserve driver), Vladislav Lomko and Pagenaud will share the #47 sister car.
#39 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Roberto Lacorte (ITA) – Giedo van der Garde (NLD) – Patrick Pilet (FRA) – Pro/Am
Since its rookie start in 1980 with Jean-Philippe Grand, Graff has racked up 17 participations and has competed in LMP2 every year since 2017. Pascal Rauturier's team earned an invitation by winning in the Asian Le Mans Series this past winter and will be looking to repeat its 2018 performance with a 2nd place finish in LMP2. Roberto Lacorte will join forces with Giedo van der Garde and Patrick Pilet to clinch a victory in Pro/Am.
#43 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Tom Van Rompuy (BEL) – Ugo de Wilde (BEL) – Maxime Martin (BEL) – Pro/Am
DKR Engineering nabbed an invitation to the Centenary by winning the LMP2 title in the Asian Le Mans Series. The Luxembourg team is also taking part in the 2023 European Le Mans Series season. Tom Van Rompuy and Ugo de Wilde are both rookies set to benefit from the experience of 2022 LMGTE Pro winner with Aston Martin, Maxime Martin (six participations). DKR Engineering is considered a contender for victory in LMP2 Pro/Am.
#45 – ORECA 07-Gibson – George Kutz (USA) – James Allen (AUS) – Colin Braun (USA) – Pro/Am
This Portuguese team is navigating a busy season, competing in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCars Championship under the banner of Crowdstrike Racing by APR, as well as in the European Le Mans Series. It claimed the second step on the LMP2 podium at the Rolex 24 at Daytona just 0.016 seconds behind the winners, and came in 3rd in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series behind DKR Engineering and COOL Racing. Algarve is seeking a top spot under the chequered flag in LMP2 Pro/Am at the Centenary. George Kutz is a rookie, Allen has taken five starts in the race and Colin Braun one.
#48 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Paul Lafargue (FRA) – Paul-Loup Chatin (FRA) – Laurents Hörr (DEU)
IDEC SPORT Racing changed principal engineer by recruiting Nicolas Drouelle and is competing in the 2023 European Le Mans Series. Drivers Paul Lafargue and Paul-Loup Chatin are back and will team up with Laurents Hörr. The German driver has extensive experience in endurance racing, winning in the Michelin Le Mans Cup twice (2019 and 2020). The team also participated in the 2022 24 Hours with DKR Engineering.
After demonstrating remarkable speed and reclaiming the top step on the podium last year, IDEC SPORT Racing has high hopes for this season. Sporting Director Nicolas Minassian: "[We hope to] be satisfied with our work. And then results will follow."
#65 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Manuel Maldonado (VEN) – Tijmen van der Helm (NLD) – Job van Uitert (NLD)
Oliver Panis' team has consistently improved over the last few seasons, finishing runner-up in the 2022 European Le Mans Series. It will count on sharp engineers well-trained on the ORECA 07 and efficient refuelling mechanics. The French outfit is seeking as many wins as possible this season with a solid driver line-up of Job van Uitert (four participations), Tijmen van der Helm (one) and Manuel Maldonado (one).
#80 – ORECA 07-Gibson – François Perrodo (FRA) – Ben Barnicoat (GBR) – Norman Nato (FRA) – Pro/Am
A pillar of the GT class, AF Corse has also been competing in LMP2 since 2022. Last year, the car finished 19th in the class. François Perrodo is back (nine participations) and will be joined by Ben Barnicoat (two) and Norman Nato (five).
#923 – ORECA 07-Gibson – Salih Yoluc (TUR) – Tom Gamble (GBR) – Dries Vanthoor (BEL) – Pro/Am
Racing Team Turkey is the first team from the country to win an endurance racing championship, becoming European Le Mans Series Pro/Am champion in 2022. This will be the outfit's rookie start, seeking nothing less than a win in the Centenary.
The Top 5 FIA Endurance LMP2 Teams classification ahead of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans:
1. #22 United Autosports – 66 points
2. #41 Team WRT – 58 points
3. #23 United Autosports – 45 points
4. #63 Prema Racing – 41 points
5. #34 Inter Europol Competition – 40 points
Click for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans ENTRY LIST.
