WEC 2023: The 38 drivers known, from former F1 drivers behind the wheel!

Since the birth of Hypercars in 2021, the top category of endurance racing has been awaiting the arrival of numerous manufacturers to compete for the overall win. And this will be the case, as we were able to list recently.

In the Hypercar class, eleven factory cars and two private cars will compete for the victory: Toyota is defending its title against highly anticipated competition! The #7 and #8 cars will remain the clear favorites, having dominated the competition in recent years. Peugeot will field the #93 and #94 cars and will be closely watched in terms of reliability.

The most anticipated comebacks are of course those of Ferrari and Porsche: on one hand, the 499P No. 50 and No. 51 will try to bring the Scuderia back to the forefront. As for the 963 No. 5 and 6, they will be able to benefit from the intensive work of the Stuttgart brands.

Two privately owned Hypercars will compete in the World Team’s Cup: the Porsche from Jota Motorsport (No. 38) and the Porsche from Proton Competition (No. 99).

Will the other factories also be in the game to challenge the heavyweights: Cadillac and Glickenhaus will only field one car each: respectively, the No.2 and No.708.

Above all, it’s Vanwall’s arrival that is pleasing to see! Colin Kolles’ team wanted to compete under the name ByKolles last year…but because they were not a full-fledged manufacturer, the ACO and FIA refused their participation.

LMP2: few people, but beautiful.

The enthusiasm generated by the Hypercar among manufacturers has naturally resulted in reducing the teams in other categories.

Thus, eleven LMP2 cars will be at the start, with the usual favorites: Jota Motorsport, which will lead two programs simultaneously this season (Hypercar and LMP2), Prema, United Autosport, WRT… but also Alpine, who is determined to return to success, especially at Le Mans.

The French brand has stepped back down to LMP2, while awaiting their arrival in LMDh next season. They will field the N°35 and 36, where only two drivers have been confirmed: André Negrao on the 36 and Mathieu Vaxivière from Limoges on the 35, both of whom were in the Hypercar-LMP1 category for the past two seasons.

Note that Doriane Pin will be making her debut on the Prema N°63. She won’t be the only woman, as Lilou Wadoux is expected to stay in one of the two Alpines.

GTE Am: farewell tour before the GT3.

Appearing in 2009, the GTE has had its golden age over the years, with many official programs (Porsche, Ferrari, Ford, BMW, Aston Martin, and Corvette).

The GTE Pro is no more, the GTE Am remains this season, before the LMGT3s close this chapter of endurance. Fourteen teams will be part of the WEC, including Corvette, which maintains a semblance of an official program, with only one car.

For the rest, the other teams expected to be in the fight are the usual ones: AF Corse (also competing in Hypercar), Proton, and other Iron Lynx.

Moreover, the Iron Dames would like to steal a march on these gentlemen… ladies first?

Antonio Giovinazzi and Jacques Villeneuve: the comeback!

The most sensational announcements naturally concerned the Hypercar: first and foremost, the announcement of the Ferrari drivers on Tuesday, January 10th.

Behind the wheel of number 51: Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen. And in number 50, we have Alessandro Per Guidi, former official GTE-Pro driver, James Calado… and Antonio Giovinazzi, who will finally sport the red colors in competition! Scuderia did not choose him by chance, and his brief stint in F1 will bring a lot.

But above all, the most incredible news is about Jacques Villeneuve: the 51-year-old Quebecois will drive the Vanwall No. 3 alongside Tom Dillmann and Esteban Guerrieri. The 1997 F1 world champion is taking on a new challenge: aiming for victory in the overall standings!

But it remains to be seen what the Anglo-Austrian prototype will have under its belt… answer in next March at Sebring, with the 38 cars in the race (to be found here)!

To date, only Jota, Proton, and Glickenhaus have not confirmed all their Hypercar drivers.