{"id":7237,"date":"2024-04-11T16:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T16:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motorsporttraveldestinations.com\/blog\/?p=7237"},"modified":"2024-04-11T16:00:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T16:00:54","slug":"meet-the-le-mans-2024-teams-and-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorsporttraveldestinations.com\/blog\/meet-the-le-mans-2024-teams-and-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Le Mans 2024 teams and drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last June, in a flash of scarlet red, Le Mans 24h history was made. Ferrari roared to victory for the first time in 58 years on the 100th anniversary year of the first race \u2013 it was truly a year to remember.\u00a0But how will the Le Mans 2024 teams and drivers match up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With appetites suitably whetted, thoughts quickly turned to 2024. With new manufacturers and record-breaking entry lists<\/a> on the menu, this year\u2019s Le Mans 24h will see 62 cars, 14 manufacturers and 186 drivers contest the most spectacular race of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the announcement of the provisional entry list for the 2024 Le Mans 24h race<\/a>, here we look at the teams and drivers who will be gunning for glory.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HYPERCAR CLASS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Hypercar category has cemented itself as one of the most exciting classes in motorsport in recent years. It has continued this upward trend with a record-breaking 19 full-time entries from 14 manufacturers set to battle it out in 2024. Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota will be joined in the top class by Alpine, BMW, Isotta Fraschini and Lamborghini. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After wrestling a sensational win from the Toyota juggernaut last year, Ferrari <\/strong>will be keen to defend their crown. The winning trio from 2023, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado <\/strong>and Antonio Giovinazzi<\/strong>, all return in the #51 machine \u2013 the sister #50 Ferrari line-up is unchanged too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ferrari<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Toyota <\/strong>\u2013 who won both the WEC Manufacturers, and Drivers\u2019 Championships for a fifth successive year in 2023 \u2013 the two-time WEC championship winning trio of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley <\/strong>and Ryo Hirakawa <\/strong>return in the #8 machine. The #7 car will have a new face as ex-Formula 1 driver Nyck de Vries <\/strong>joins former champions Mike Conway <\/strong>and Kamui Kobayashi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadillac <\/strong>are unchanged in five of their six drivers across their two cars with ex-F1 racer S\u00e9bastien Bourdais <\/strong>the lead name. Spaniard Alex Palou <\/strong>was revealed as Cadillac\u2019s third driver. The 26-year old is a two-time IndyCar champion and also made the headlines by leaving McLaren where he was the reserve driver for the 2023 Formula 1 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porsche <\/strong>have named an unchanged line-up across both carswith 2012 WEC champion Andr\u00e9 Lotterer <\/strong>returning. Peugeot <\/strong>will boast experienced campaigners Jean-Eric Vergne <\/strong>and Stoffel Vandoorne <\/strong>in their #93 and #94 machines respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British team Hertz Team Jota <\/strong>impressed in the 2023 race, even leading before running into trouble. They have added a second car for 2024 which will feature 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button <\/strong>behind the wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Le<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Among the headlines from the new manufacturers in the Hyperclass category, Alpine <\/strong>step up from LMP2 with former Haas F1 and Mercedes F1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher <\/strong>confirmed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BMW <\/strong>will also return to Le Mans for the first time since its victorious 1999 outing. Three-time DTM World Champion Ren\u00e9 Rast <\/strong>joins 2022 champion Sheldon van der Linde <\/strong>and 24 Hours of N\u00fcrburgring winner Dries Vanthoor <\/strong>as part of the German outfit\u2019s line-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lamborghini\u2019s <\/strong>much anticipated arrival in the premier class will feature former F1 drivers Daniil Kvyat <\/strong>and Romain Grosjean <\/strong>and Formula E runner-up Edoardo Mortara <\/strong>among their ranks. Watch out for last year\u2019s LMP2 Champion Robert Kubica who will be sporting a fresh red look as he pilots the new AF Corse entered Ferrari Hypercar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LMP2 CLASS <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2024 WEC has shifted to a two-class series. Growing entry lists has left the series unable to accommodate the LMP2 category, so just the Hypercar and new LMGT3 \u2013 replacing the former LMGTE category \u2013 classes will feature across the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le Mans offers an exception to the rule however, where the popular LMP2 class will be present. 2022 winners Inter Europol Competition <\/strong>will be looking to reclaim their crown along with driver Jakub \u015amiechowski<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere 2023 Formula 2 runner-up and current Mercedes Junior Team member Frederik Vesti <\/strong>lines up with Cool Racing<\/strong>. Manuel Maldonado <\/strong>\u2013 cousin of one-time F1 race winner Pastor Maldonado \u2013 also features for Panis Racing<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LMGT3 CLASS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the newly formed LMGT3 class, eyes will be fixed on the fortunes of seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi <\/strong>who will drive for Team WRT<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Valentino<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, two-time WEC champion Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda L\u00f3pez<\/strong> switches from the Hypercar class and Toyota to compete for Team Akkodis ASP<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercedes junior Doriane Pin <\/strong>will switch to the World Endurance Championship\u2019s LMGT3 class this year with the all-female Iron Dames <\/strong>crew.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Le Mans 24h<\/a> is going from strength to strength each year, attracting more fans and the biggest car brands and drivers from across the motorsport spectrum. The vast majority of our accommodation package types have sold out, but it’s not to late to be at the 2024 Le Mans 24h race – check out the remaining Le Mans accommodation packages here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Restaurants in Le Mans | Our Recommendations<\/a><\/blockquote>