2024 FIA World Endurance Championship
Auto racing series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship was the twelfth season of the FIA World Endurance Championship, a sports car racing series organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The series was open to Hypercars (built under Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) or Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) regulations) and, for the first time, LMGT3 racing cars.
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Toyota| 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship | |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Automobile Club de l'Ouest |
| Discipline | Sports car endurance racing |
| Number of races | 8 |
| Champions | |
| Hypercar Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Hypercar Team |  Hertz Team Jota |
| LMGT3 Team |  Manthey PureRxcing |
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This was the first season of the World Endurance Championship without the LMP2 class, after it was dropped due to the increasing demand in the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes. The LMP2 class will still take part at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[1] The LMGT3 class was introduced to replace the GTE class that was dropped at the end of the 2023 season.[2] A maximum amount of 37 cars was set for the full-season grid.[1][3]
Manufacturers entering in the LMGT3 category will only be allowed to enter a maximum of two cars, to allow for a greater diversity in the LMGT3 category. Priority is given to manufacturers who have also entered a car in the Hypercar category.[4]
Calendar
On 9 June 2023, during the 2023 Le Mans weekend, the calendar for the 2024 season was announced. It contains eight races, including two completely new races and two returning races. The 1000 Miles of Sebring, 6 Hours of Portimão, and 6 Hours of Monza races will not return in 2024, with Monza not being held due to the track being redeveloped.[5] The Imola event would later replace Monza as the Italian round on the schedule, while the series will make its first visit to Qatar to start the season, allowing hotter weather than Sebring. The 6 Hours of São Paulo, which was last visited by the WEC in 2014 alongside the Lone Star Le Mans round that was previously hosted in 2020 would also make their return to the calendar.[5]
The prologue was originally scheduled for 24 and 25 February but was delayed due to shipping issues.[6]
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| Rnd | Race | Circuit | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue | Losail International Circuit |  Lusail |
26/27 February | |
| 1 | Qatar 1812 km | 2 March | ||
| 2 | 6 Hours of Imola | Imola Circuit |  Imola |
21 April |
| 3 | 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps |  Stavelot |
11 May |
| 4 | 24 Hours of Le Mans | Circuit de la Sarthe |  Le Mans |
15–16 June |
| 5 | 6 Hours of São Paulo | Interlagos Circuit |  São Paulo |
14 July |
| 6 | Lone Star Le Mans | Circuit of the Americas |  Austin, Texas |
1 September |
| 7 | 6 Hours of Fuji | Fuji Speedway | Oyama, Shizuoka |
15 September |
| 8 | 8 Hours of Bahrain | Bahrain International Circuit |  Sakhir |
2 November |
| Sources:[6][7] | ||||
Entries
The number of entries was capped at 37 cars due to garage limitations at Imola and the Circuit of the Americas. Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, outlined a goal to increase the grid size in future seasons.[8]
Hypercar
Racing in the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams
- Following the 2023 season Glickenhaus Racing chose to withdraw due to financial reasons and Floyd Vanwall Racing had their application refused.[43][44]
Alpine, BMW and Lamborghini (top) joined the Hypercar grid, as Glickenhaus and Vanwall (bottom) pulled out.
- Revived luxury Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini joined with a single Michelotto-produced LMH. It partnered with Duqueine after a previous deal with Vector Sport fell through.[15]
- Hertz Team Jota entered an additional Porsche 963 following LMP2's removal from the series.[10]
- Reigning LMP2 champions Team WRT joined Hypercar fielding two works BMW M Hybrid V8s, having previously been slated to run Audi's cancelled LMDh programme.[20] BMW's only previous entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship was in the GTE Pro category in 2018–19, while the Dallara-based M Hybrid V8, which debuted in the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship, marked BMW's return to top-class sportscar racing for the first time since winning the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans.[45]
- Alpine returned to the top class with two new Oreca-based A424 cars operated by Signatech, following a transition season in LMP2 in 2023.[22]
- As well as running the two factory Ferraris, AF Corse entered a privateer 499P as an additional third car.[29]
- Lamborghini Squadra Corse developed its first racing prototype since the Group C era, a Ligier-based LMDh run by the Prema/Iron Lynx conglomerate.[31][46]
- Mid-season changes
- Peugeot TotalEnergies abandoned its wingless design concept and launched a new version of its 9X8 Hypercar for round 2 at Imola.[47]
- On 21 August 2024, a week prior to Lone Star Le Mans, Isotta Fraschini parted ways with Duqueine and announced its immediate withdrawal from WEC.[48]
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- Richard Westbrook departed Cadillac after a single season to join JDC-Miller in the IMSA SportsCar Championship's GTP class.[49] Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn were retained as a pair, with US-based Ganassi drivers joining them on occasion: Sébastien Bourdais in Qatar and two-time Indycar Series champion Álex Palou at Le Mans.[12] Renger van der Zande was expected to reinforce the crew at the season-ending Bahrain round, but Bourdais got the drive instead.[11][50]
- Porsche Penske moved Dane Cameron to its full-time IMSA GTP lineup, effectively swapping seats with Matt Campbell, a former GTE Am runner-up for Dempsey-Proton.[51]
- After six seasons and two overall titles, Toyota demoted José María López to Akkodis ASP's Lexus LMGT3 entry.[52] Former Toyota test driver and LMP2 race winner Nyck de Vries replaced him in the #7 car after his dismissal from Formula One.[13]
- TCR driver Jean-Karl Vernay was joined by young single-seater graduates Antonio Serravalle and Carl Bennett at Isotta Fraschini, with Bennett a late change after ELMS LMP3 champion Alex García's withdrawal.[16]
- For its Hypercar debut, BMW M Team WRT called upon the services of long-serving works drivers Sheldon van der Linde and Marco Wittmann, as well as new signings Robin Frijns, René Rast, Dries Vanthoor and Raffaele Marciello. Multi-time GT World Challenge Europe champions Marciello and Vanthoor joined from Mercedes-AMG and Audi respectively to partner DTM legend Wittmann in the #15 car, whereas ex-Audi stalwarts Frijns and Rast reunited in the #20 alongside Van Der Linde.[21]
- From Alpine's 2023 LMP2 line-up, only Charles Milesi and Matthieu Vaxivière stepped up to Hypercar with the team, as Nicolas Lapierre returned after a year in the sidelines. Three newcomers completed the roster: three-time ELMS champion Paul-Loup Chatin (who last raced for the team in 2015), Team WRT's Ferdinand Habsburg and former F1 driver Mick Schumacher.[24] Mercedes-AMG factory driver Jules Gounon joined as reserve driver.[25]
Robert Kubica (left) and Jenson Button (right) were among the drivers making their Hypercar debut in 2024.
- Ferrari's main lineup was unchanged, while the additional third AF Corse car was piloted by Ferrari F1 reserve driver Robert Shwartzman, F1 race winner and reigning LMP2 champion Robert Kubica and new works driver Yifei Ye, who moved over from Hertz Team Jota.[30]
- With Yifei Ye recruited by Ferrari and António Félix da Costa stepping away from WEC to focus on Formula E,[53] Jota hired IndyCar driver Callum Ilott and LMP1 race winner Norman Nato to escort Will Stevens.[18] The team's second car was filled by 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button and LMP2 graduates Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen.[19]
- Lamborghini's debut in WEC and IMSA saw the addition of several drivers to its books. Mirko Bortolotti, a decorated GT racer for the brand, spearheaded the WEC lineup alongside ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat and DTM and Formula E race winner Edoardo Mortara.[37] Mortara missed the 6 Hours of Spa due to his Formula E commitments, with works IMSA driver Andrea Caldarelli stepping in.[38]
- At Peugeot, Gustavo Menezes was replaced with reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who had already debuted for the team at the 2023 6 Hours of Fuji. Paul di Resta and Nico Müller also swapped cars for 2024.[39]
- Double GTE Pro champion Gianmaria Bruni departed the WEC after a decade and switched to Proton's IMSA GTP programme. Porsche-contracted driver Julien Andlauer stepped up to accompany Jani and Tincknell in the No. 99 car.[42]
- Following Vanwall's denied entry and Glickenhaus' withdrawal, none of their drivers from the 2023 season would return to the WEC for 2024.
- Mid-season changes
- Ferdinand Habsburg fractured two vertebrae in a testing crash in late March. Alpine reserve driver Jules Gounon stood in for the Austrian at Imola and Spa.[25]
- Mike Conway was forced to miss the 24 Hours of Le Mans after injuring his ribs and collarbone in a cycling incident. José María López, who normally drives the No. 87 Lexus for Akkodis ASP, was drafted to substitute for the Briton.[14]
- Following Isotta Fraschini's withdrawal, Antonio Serravalle joined rival team Proton Competition as reserve driver.[54]
- A pre-planned move saw Alpine hand Jules Gounon two more runs, replacing Paul-Loup Chatin at Fuji and Charles Milesi in Bahrain.[26] Milesi ultimately slotted in the No. 36 for the season finale, as Nicolas Lapierre announced his immediate retirement to take up the role of Alpine sporting director.[55]
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LMGT3
Results and standings
Race results
The highest finishing competitor entered in the World Endurance Championship is listed below. Invitational entries may have finished ahead of WEC competitors in individual races.
Drivers' championships
An FIA World Championship is awarded to the winning drivers in the Hypercar category. An FIA Endurance Trophy is awarded to the winning drivers in the LMGT3 category.[91]
| Duration | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | Pole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Hours | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 8–10 Hours | 38 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 24 Hours | 50 | 36 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Source:[92] | |||||||||||
Hypercar World Endurance Drivers' Championship
Bold - Pole position |
FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Drivers
Manufacturers' and teams' championships
A world championship was awarded for Hypercar manufacturers. An FIA World Cup was awarded for customer Hypercar class teams. An FIA Endurance Trophy was awarded to LMGT3 teams.[91]
Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship
Points are awarded only to the highest finishing competitor from each manufacturer. Privateer entries are made invisible.[91]
| Pos. | Manufacturer | QAT |
IMO |
SPA |
LMS |
SÃO |
COA |
FUJ |
BHR |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota |
3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 190 |
| 2 |  Porsche |
1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 188 |
| 3 | Ferrari |
4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 137 |
| 4 | Alpine |
5 | 11 | 6 | Ret | 9 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 70 |
| 5 | BMW |
7 | 6 | 8 | NC | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 64 |
| 6 | Peugeot |
12 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 57 |
| 7 | Cadillac |
DSQ | 9 | Ret | 7 | 11 | 3 | Ret | 6 | 42 |
| 8 | Lamborghini |
10 | 10 | Ret | 8 | 14 | 11 | Ret | Ret | 11 |
| 9 | Isotta Fraschini |
Ret | 14 | 12 | 11 | Ret | 0 | |||
| Pos. | Manufacturer | QAT |
IMO |
SPA |
LMS |
SÃO |
COA |
FUJ |
BHR |
Points |
| Source:[90] | ||||||||||
FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams
FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams
| Pos. | Car | Team | QAT |
IMO |
SPA |
LMS |
SÃO |
COA |
FUJ |
BHR |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 92 | Manthey PureRxcing |
1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 139 |
| 2 | 91 | Manthey EMA |
15 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 105 |
| 3 | 55 | Vista AF Corse |
7 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 97 |
| 4 | 31 | Team WRT |
6 | 1 | Ret | 2 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 85 |
| 5 | 27 | Heart of Racing Team |
2 | 5 | 11 | Ret | 2 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 83 |
| 6 | 46 | Team WRT |
4 | 2 | Ret | Ret | 5 | NC | 3 | 14 | 61 |
| 7 | 54 | Vista AF Corse |
5 | 12 | 6 | Ret | 15 | Ret | 1 | 7 | 57 |
| 8 | 85 | Iron Dames |
8 | Ret | 5 | 4 | Ret | 13 | 5 | 10 | 54 |
| 9 | 59 | United Autosports |
14 | 11 | 4 | Ret | 4 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 52 |
| 10 | 81 | TF Sport |
Ret | 7 | Ret | 11 | 8 | Ret | 4 | 2 | 50 |
| 11 | 777 | D'station Racing |
3 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 | Ret | 7 | 12 | 50 |
| 12 | 82 | TF Sport |
10 | 8 | 12 | 9 | Ret | 8 | Ret | 3 | 37 |
| 13 | 88 | Proton Competition |
9 | Ret | 8 | 3 | 13 | NC | 16 | Ret | 37 |
| 14 | 95 | United Autosports |
13 | 6 | Ret | Ret | 3 | 7 | 17 | 8 | 36 |
| 15 | 60 | Iron Lynx |
12 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 4 | 33 |
| 16 | 78 | Akkodis ASP Team |
Ret | 14 | 10 | 6 | WD | 9 | 11 | Ret | 19 |
| 17 | 77 | Proton Competition |
11 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 15 | Ret | 18 |
| 18 | 87 | Akkodis ASP Team |
16 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | Ret | 8 |
| Pos. | Car | Team | QAT |
IMO |
SPA |
LMS |
SÃO |
COA |
FUJ |
BHR |
Points |
| Source:[90] | |||||||||||
See also
Notes
- Malykhin is Belarusian, but he competes under a Kittitian licence as Belarusian national emblems were banned by the FIA following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[34][89]
- Chatin did not fulfil his mandated minimum drive time at Lone Star Le Mans, meaning that he did not receive points for that event.[90]
- Lynn did not fulfil his mandated minimum drive time at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, meaning that he did not receive points for that event.[93]
- Gounon did not fulfil his mandated minimum drive time at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, meaning that he did not receive points for that event.[94]