2024 World Endurance ChampionshipSports Cars

[RACECAR]

Wow the top 10 is literally dominated by the big 3 plus BMW all the way in 9th and 10th. One thing is clear, this season was meant for Porsche, Ferrari or Toyota to win. Cadillac, Alpine, Lamborghini, Peugeot, and BMW had no chance.

Lets be frank about those 5 other Manufacturers:

- Its WRT's first time having this program and BMW's first in WEC. Kinda unrealistic to expect them to be up there immediately, it was 2023 IMSA all over again but with the difficulty set to Ninja.

- First season for Lamborghini doing a program of ANY kind like this (not even full time last I checked), They didn't even expect big results so they are hardly losing sleep over it.

- A prototype program using THE most unreliable engine currently in single spec Open wheel racing AND in their first season. Are we really shocked here? Hint: Its that OTHER French make. Still sounds good though.

- Peugeot is just STILL behind the 8 ball, period. Even when they had Speed, the car just decides to go on strike.

- Despite the team name on the car, was there ever gonna really be a chance for one Cadillac to have any chance against multiple multi-car programs?


Overall, seems to me like the Big 3 have multiple seasons worth of experience AND the numbers AND just more reliable cars. Typical Sports car things really.

2025 should be a proper gauge for them with Cadillac going to two cars courtesy of JOTA as well as a second WEC season for BMW and Alpine and supposedly more improved reliability coming for Peugeot. Lamborghini is...questionable, no solid confirmation as to if they are even commiting to WEC in 2025.

 

[suomi1]

"You've got one shot!" -> martin or graham quoting eminem was epic
An "orange" hypercar is comming in 2026 (Papayas are orange -> probably McLaren hypercar)

2026? My bet goes on Genesis.

 

[suomi1]

The #51 Ferrari takes two penalties, they used two more tires than allowed. They lose their podium and are now last in the LMH rankings, Peugeot takes the podium.

 

[RolexGTP]

As expected one of the big 3 would win this race but Peugeot performed well in this race and they finally get placed higher up in the rankings.

 

[TheHun99]

A look at LMGT3 in 2025

The 2025 LMGT3 Field Is Taking Shape, But The Puzzle Is Far From Complete

The 2025 LMGT3 Field Is Taking Shape, But The Puzzle Is Far From Complete

www.dailysportscar.com

 

[ScottPuss20]

So Toyota win the manufacturer's title whilst the #6 Penske Porsche wins the driver's championship. What an incredible season it has been. Soo many storylines, tales of woe, battles and chaos across a fantastic selection of race tracks. 2024 has proved that endurance racing is well and truly kicking again after several lean years. In the face of an ever growing F1 calendar and audience, the WEC has been able to stand on it's own two feet, providing some of the best action you'll find anywhere in the world. Whilst F1 is trying stupid gimmicks and failing to steward consistently, the WEC just delivers without creating unnecessary controversy. This series is only going to get bigger as more people tune in, and with the imminent arrival of Aston Martin's V12-powered Valkyrie, it's not slowing down anytime soon.

 

[RolexGTP]

So Toyota win the manufacturer's title whilst the #6 Penske Porsche wins the driver's championship. What an incredible season it has been. Soo many storylines, tales of woe, battles and chaos across a fantastic selection of race tracks. 2024 has proved that endurance racing is well and truly kicking again after several lean years. In the face of an ever growing F1 calendar and audience, the WEC has been able to stand on it's own two feet, providing some of the best action you'll find anywhere in the world. Whilst F1 is trying stupid gimmicks and failing to steward consistently, the WEC just delivers without creating unnecessary controversy. This series is only going to get bigger as more people tune in, and with the imminent arrival of Aston Martin's V12-powered Valkyrie, it's not slowing down anytime soon.

And just imagine other manufacturers getting into the hypercar field within the next year or two like Genesis in 2026, perhaps Vanwall gets a second chance next season and then McLaren is rumored too.

 

[lilcat89]

I know I'm a bit late to this, but the racing this year has been sublime. Looking at the positions as they crossed the line, the top 7 on the road were all different manufacturers in Hypercar and even the LMGT3 was 5 different in the top 6. Everyone is so evenly matched that its genuinely unbelievable.

 

[Touring Mars]

Lamborghini To Exit FIA WEC

Lamborghini To Exit FIA WEC

www.dailysportscar.com

It's official now

 

[TheHun99]

Lamborghini To Exit FIA WEC

Lamborghini To Exit FIA WEC

www.dailysportscar.com

It's official now

I was never a Lambo fan but I'm sorry about the SC63 leaving WEC - at least it's still gonna be there here in the US. As far as LMGT3 goes, I can see Iron Lynx and Iron Dames being frustrated with them, even though Sarah Bovy was almost always there during Hyperpole, although they did significantly better last year in the 911 RSR-19 or this year in the 911 GT3 R in ELMS in Quali and they also did better overall both in 2023 WEC and 2024 ELMS.

 

[RolexGTP]

I hope Lamborghini keeps the SC63 going much longer here in IMSA. They have potential and it's probably the best sounding and looking of the GTPs besides the Cadillac.

 

[Rossell2]

I'm sad to see this but it never quite felt like they had a grip on things, I don't know how to describe it. I guess with so many manufacturers in a results based environment there was always going to be drop outs. I can see Peugeot going in that direction eventually as well.

 

[suomi1]

I hope Lamborghini keeps the SC63 going much longer here in IMSA. They have potential and it's probably the best sounding and looking of the GTPs besides the Cadillac.

The SC63 can perform better in IMSA only because there are more safety cars.
The car is damn too heavy. So much that it cannot reach the weight allowed by the the BoP. This is basically why it was damn good under the rain at Indianapolis.

They're going to have to use a Joker EVO to restore the situation, the problem being that it's going to be expensive and they're very limited in terms of budget. I wonder if this is why ACO asked everyone to be able to install a 70kg ballast next year instead of 50...

 

[ThePotatoKing]

I'm sad to see this but it never quite felt like they had a grip on things, I don't know how to describe it. I guess with so many manufacturers in a results based environment there was always going to be drop outs. I can see Peugeot going in that direction eventually as well.

Not really surprised by Lamborghini dropping out, but I doubt Peugeot will follow suit. The 9X8 Evo just started to show potential in Bahrain (due to really favorable BoP for the most part, but still) and it would be kinda silly to ditch WEC after reworking the car to such a degree and running only 0.8 seasons with it.

Of course that could just as well be wishful thinking on my part. Nothing stopped Nissan from dropping out of WEC after spending nearly double the time and resources Peugeot did and they run just at Le Mans.

 

[Touring Mars]

Not quite relevant to this thread per se, but I just got myself a ticket for Le Mans 2025

Despite being online from the moment tickets went on sale to the general public, it took me an hour and a half and the grandstands were already sold out, so I got a General Admission ticket. I had that last time I was there too (with the GTPlanet crowd back in 2014, organised by @homeforsummer ) and there is a grandstand near the start/finish line that is free access anyway; plus the grandstands are open for Practice and qualifying (I think).

All I need to do now is find some accommodation, which is easier said than done. If I can't get anything suitable, then I may end up reselling my ticket, but it was only £100 or so anyway.

 

[TheCracker]

Not quite relevant to this thread per se, but I just got myself a ticket for Le Mans 2025

Despite being online from the moment tickets went on sale to the general public, it took me an hour and a half and the grandstands were already sold out, so I got a General Admission ticket. I had that last time I was there too (with the GTPlanet crowd back in 2014, organised by @homeforsummer ) and there is a grandstand near the start/finish line that is free access anyway; plus the grandstands are open for Practice and qualifying (I think).

All I need to do now is find some accommodation, which is easier said than done. If I can't get anything suitable, then I may end up reselling my ticket, but it was only £100 or so anyway.

Camping not an option?

 

[Touring Mars]

Camping not an option?

No, but all the campsites are fully booked already anyway.

I camped there the last time, but I can't see myself doing that again.

 

[ThePotatoKing]

And another one

 

[Jezza819]

And another one

Mercedes confirms WEC GT3 program with Iron Lynx

Mercedes-AMG is set to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 26 years in 2025, with a two-car LMGT3 program for newly signed customer te…

racer.com

Iron Lynx with two Mercedes. So does that mean Iron Dames will run a Porsche through Manthey?

 

[i386]

I think they will use two amg gt3, that way they can gather a lot more valuable data

 

[GearHead36]

Mercedes confirms WEC GT3 program with Iron Lynx

Mercedes-AMG is set to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 26 years in 2025, with a two-car LMGT3 program for newly signed customer te…

racer.com

Iron Lynx with two Mercedes. So does that mean Iron Dames will run a Porsche through Manthey?

I was about to ask if they were going to join either Hypercar or LMGT3. Thank you for having given the info way before I asked!

 

[IforceV8]

Mercedes confirms WEC GT3 program with Iron Lynx

Mercedes-AMG is set to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 26 years in 2025, with a two-car LMGT3 program for newly signed customer te…

racer.com

Iron Lynx with two Mercedes. So does that mean Iron Dames will run a Porsche through Manthey?

Yep, and a Proton Porsche in IMSA and I think a Proton in ELMS.

 

[RolexGTP]

I guess no more room for a Hypercar entry? Really want to see another manufacturer sneak in at the last minute like Vanwall, IF or even Acura.

 

[05XR8]

Mercedes confirms WEC GT3 program with Iron Lynx

Mercedes-AMG is set to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 26 years in 2025, with a two-car LMGT3 program for newly signed customer te…

racer.com

Iron Lynx with two Mercedes. So does that mean Iron Dames will run a Porsche through Manthey?

Common sense prevailed! If any brand needed to return the Le Mans it had to be Mercedes.

 

[RolexGTP]

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/aston-martin-announce-wec-hypercar-drivers-and-confirm-absence-from-2025-daytona-24/10674877/

Aston confirmed to miss the Rolex 24 in January and will debut in the WEC opener.

 

[IforceV8]

On to 2025. No Bovy in the Iron Dames, BMW 46 is now 32 which likely means no Dr, and only 2 HY independents are entered with Proton and AF Corse 83.
https://sportscar365.com/wp-content..._FIA_WEC_Season_Provisional_Entry_List_v1.pdf

 

[Touring Mars]

BMW 46 is now 32 which likely means no Dr

Does this mean Rossi may have a hypercar seat lined up?

Shame to see Bovy leave Iron Dames, but great to see them move to Manthey/Porsche.

 

[IforceV8]

Does this mean Rossi may have a hypercar seat lined up?

Shame to see Bovy leave Iron Dames, but great to see them move to Manthey/Porsche.

BMW isnt saying anything yet. Bovy is doing the Asian LeMans series starting in 2 weeks with the Dames as the Silver with her WEC Bronze replacement Martin in a Proton 911.

 

[RolexGTP]

Theres technically 4 spots open in hypercar class and I'm getting a suspicion that another manufacturer might get added in during the middle of the season.

 

[Jezza819]

On to 2025. No Bovy in the Iron Dames, BMW 46 is now 32 which likely means no Dr, and only 2 HY independents are entered with Proton and AF Corse 83.
https://sportscar365.com/wp-content..._FIA_WEC_Season_Provisional_Entry_List_v1.pdf

What status are Frey and Gattling? I thought last year Frey wanted to step back and reduce her role but Doriane Pin got injured then wanted to concentrate on her single seat career so Frey had to come back to full time. If Gattling is gold and Frey is silver, Bovy could replace Frey. But if Gattling is silver and Frey is gold then that would be a problem. But it is a shame to see Bovy leave.