Lamborghini Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx continued the development of its SC63 LMDh challenger this week, completing a productive three-day test at the Circuito de Almería in Spain. The car, which will make its competitive debut at the FIA World Endurance Championship 2024 season opener in Qatar next March, was shared by Factory Drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Romain Grosjean with the latter turning his first laps.

Reliability and procedural tests were the main objectives carried out during the three days at the 4.2km circuit located in the Andalucian desert of southwest Spain. Technicians from both Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx concentrated on long runs as the team learns more about the prototype.

A single chassis was used across all three days, meeting its pre-test target of nearly 2000km. The test also gave Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx technicians the opportunity to simulate Full Corse Yellow and related restart procedures and strategies that often characterise endurance races in preparation for next season.

The test also marked the debut of Romain Grosjean at the wheel of the SC63. The Swiss driver – who has driven in selected endurance events in the WeatherTech IMSA Sports Car Championship with Iron Lynx this year – began his programme on the opening afternoon, alternating with Caldarelli. The pair then equally divided the mileage across the remainder of the test.

Romain Grosjean: “It was a very intense three days, but I am very happy to have been able to work the team and the car on the track for the first time. The car proved to be very good from the first laps and I can’t wait to put even more kilometres on it during the next tests.

“It felt really good, and I am happy to be in Almerían with the whole team and discovering all the people and the work that has been going on behind the scenes. So, I am very excited to be here, the car felt really good from the beginning but obviously we still have a bit of a journey [ahead of us]. But the work that has been done prior to my arrival has been very good and I am looking forward to learning more about the car.”

The test programme will continue in Europe next week. Subsequently, the Lamborghini Iron Lynx test team will move to the United States to continue the homologation process by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) and for a series of tests on North American tracks.

Here’s details on first test of Lamborghini

Here’s Romain Grosjean pressing against Andretti

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Grosjean completes his first test with Lamborghini in Spain ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

MissionH24, a collaborative project between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and H24Project, has today presented a brand-new hydrogen electric prototype. The objective is clear: to create a hydrogen class in the FIA World Endurance Championship including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

After introducing hydrogen on the track, MissionH24 is now introducing hydrogen in competition, for a race with zero CO2 emissions. The essential functions have already been tried and tested in the LMPH2G and H24.

Key Milestones

March 2024: General design finalised

June 2024: Mock-up

From October 2024: Power unit assembly, bench-testing

From January 2025: Car assembly, first circuit tests

Here’s more details: https://mcusercontent.com/b5f125906fc10a7f9e846de69/files/c73c1b90-30a3-1e1c-6714-cbc3a3ea6e83/GB_Dossier_Presse_Mission_H24.01.pdf

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada MissionH24 presents new hydrogen electric prototype ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

A racing prototype version of the ultimate hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie, will take on the challenge it was born for when it carries Aston Martin into the fight for overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, from 2025. Through the invaluable support and backing of Aston Martin’s championship-winning endurance racing partner Heart of Racing [HoR], at least one Valkyrie racecar will be entered by Aston Martin in the top Hypercar class of each of the FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC] and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championships [IMSA] from 2025.

This means that the prototype Valkyrie will participate in three of sportscar racing’s most prestigious events; Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Performance is the driving force behind everything Aston Martin creates and just as its latest production siblings DB12 and DBX707, the world’s fastest luxury SUV, are class leading for performance and driving dynamics, so Aston Martin Valkyrie is the definitive hypercar, unlimited by sporting regulation and harnessing emphatic, breathtaking performance.

Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Performance is the lifeblood of everything that we do at Aston Martin, and motorsport is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence. We have been present at Le Mans since the earliest days, and through those glorious endeavours we succeeded in winning Le Mans in 1959 and our class 19 times over the past 95 years. Now we return to the scene of those first triumphs aiming to write new history with a racing prototype inspired by the fastest production car Aston Martin has ever built.

“In addition to our presence in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Aston Martin’s return to the pinnacle of endurance racing will allow us to build a deeper connection with our customers and community, many of whom found their passion for the brand through our past success at Le Mans. And of course, the complex knowledge-base we are building through our F1 team is data that Aston Martin Performance Technologies can harness to further enhance the capabilities of the Valkyrie racecar at Le Mans, in WEC and IMSA.

“Just as the learnings we gain through endurance competition will feed directly into our road car programmes, further improving the ultimate performance of our products. I would like to thank Gabe Newell and Heart of Racing for partnering with Aston Martin on this programme, and I look forward to working with him and the team as we aim for success in the greatest endurance race of them all.

Sportscar racing is in Aston Martin’s DNA. Its name is synonymous with endurance racing glory, with the brand’s Le Mans debut coming just five years after the race was run for the first time in 1923. Since then, cars adorned with the famous Wings have clinched no less than 19 class victories at the world-famous French event, including overall triumph in the 1959 race with the iconic DBR1 driven by Roy Salvadori (GBR) and Carroll Shelby (USA).

In total, more than 240 drivers have raced Aston Martins at Le Mans over the past 95 years in 27 different chassis and engine combinations, through virtually every era. No other venue has given Aston Martin so much success, or more steadfastly proven that our DNA is forged out of the very essence of competition. So in the year the marque celebrates its 110^th anniversary, it makes perfect sense to announce its return to the greatest endurance race on earth with the ultimate expression of the most potent hypercar ever devised.

Valkyrie AMR Pro was originally designed and developed to meet the LMH hypercar regulations and now Aston Martin Performance Technologies, situated in the newly-built AMR Technology Campus which is co-located with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One team’s Silverstone headquarters, has begun the task of developing a competition prototype version of Valkyrie for racing within a pre-defined aerodynamic and power performance window that gives it parity with its direct competition in WEC. It will then be homologated for the WEC Hypercar and IMSA GTP classes ahead of the 2025 season.

The race-optimised carbon-fibre chassis Valkyrie will use a modified version of the sensational Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, which in standard form revs to 11,000rpm and develops over 1000bhp. The power unit will be enhanced further to incorporate the critical Balance of Performance requirements of the Hypercar class, and developed to withstand the rigours of top level long-distance competition. As with the Valkyrie AMR Pro track-car, the battery-electric hybrid system that features on the road-specification Valkyrie is absent from the race car.

Once homologated, the Heart of Racing team will spearhead Aston Martin’s programmes in both WEC and IMSA as the Valkyrie race car becomes the first purebred hypercar to participate in both championships, and the only one among its rivals that can trace its origins back to an existing production car.

Founded in 2014 by American businessman and philanthropist Gabe Newell, The Heart of Racing is a charity that raises money for the Seattle Children’s Cardiology Research Fund (among other worthy causes). The US-based HoR team was conceived in 2020 and has partnered with Aston Martin since its inception, competing predominantly with the ultra-successful Vantage GT3 in IMSA’s two GTD classes.

Having brought Aston Martin its first IMSA GTD class championship title with AMR Academy graduate Roman De Angelis [CDN] in 2022, HoR recorded the brand’s maiden class victory in January’s Rolex 24 with Team Principal Ian James (GBR), Darren Turner (GBR) and two-time WEC GT champion Marco Sørensen also driving. HoR also made its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut with the Aston Martin Vantage GTE in June this year, finishing seventh, and will continue through the rest of the 2023 WEC season.

Ian James, Team Principal of Heart of Racing, said: “It’s a privilege to be able to bring Aston Martin back to the top of endurance racing with the Heart of Racing. Our team has grown exponentially since we began racing with those famous wings at Daytona in 2020. We understand and are aligned with the ethos of the brand and we have developed our own systems and technologies to extract the maximum performance of the cars we compete with. Our understanding of Valkyrie is strong and we have worked closely with it through our customer activation programmes for two years now.

“This HoR team has big ambitions in endurance racing and this is absolutely the right time for us to step into the top classes of WEC and IMSA and challenge for overall honours. This is not an easy target, but between our partners and the support of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, it is one we have all the tools and capabilities in place to hit the bullseye with.”

Aston Martin’s entry into the Hypercar class ensures that the British ultra-luxury sportscar manufacturer will have a presence in all aspects of endurance racing from the gentleman racer through to the very pinnacle of the sport. Indeed, from 2025, Aston Martin will be the only manufacturer competing at all levels of sportscar and GT racing (from Hypercar to GT4) and the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

This is made possible through an additional announcement today of Aston Martin’s commitment to building and preparing all-new GT3 and GT4 cars, based on the Vantage platform, which will conform to all existing and new GT rule-sets, including the new-for-2024 LMGT3 regulations that replace the outgoing GTE class in WEC.

This new GT challenger, which is expected to compete in WEC, IMSA and SRO-run GT World Challenge Series as well as various internationally-based regional championships, will be available for existing Aston Martin Racing partners and prospective customers to purchase and compete with for the beginning of the 2024 racing season.

The introduction of a new GT race car brings to end a remarkable chapter in Aston Martin Racing’s history with the current generation of Vantage, arguably the most successful racing car Aston Martin has ever produced. Since making its debut in 2018, the Vantage GTE has recorded four world championship titles, including two drivers’, one manufacturers’ and one teams’ crown, as well as three 24 Hours of Le Mans class victories.

The GT3 variant is also steeped in glory, having won IMSA’s GTD crown and this year’s Rolex 24. A class winner in the Spa 24 Hours, Vantage GT3 was GTWC class champion and was also the first Aston Martin to win a sportscar championship in Japan, with D’station Racing taking the 2021 Super Taikyu title. Vantage GT4 is a multiple championship-winning entry level GT adored by amateur and gentleman racers’ for its driver-friendly attributes, and is the most successful and popular GT racing car currently competing in the US.

Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Aston Martin in endurance racing. As a manufacturer, Aston Martin has a consistent record of success at world championship level and, through the efforts of the Heart of Racing, also now in IMSA.

“Valkyrie takes us back into the top tier of sportscar racing and, together with our partners we are absolutely confident that we can deliver a race car with the potential and the performance capabilities to fight alongside the benchmark machinery in the class. To be able to do this in cooperation with a proven championship-winning operation such as Heart of Racing ensures we have all we need to race from a competitive platform.

“It’s a fascinating programme, given that this is the only hypercar in the class with direct synergies to its road car counterpart, but the Valkyrie concept was always intended to break through boundaries, and now we have the opportunity to show what it can do on a track. By also confirming Aston Martin’s commitment to a new GT3 and GT4 challenger, we signal our intent to compete for victory at all levels of sportscar racing now and well into the future.”

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Aston Martin to enter WEC and IMSA championships in 2025 ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

With Lewis Hamilton and George Russell confirmed at Mercedes for 2024 F1 season, it leaves Schumacher with no chance of driving for them next year. And with the other seats also filling up fast and quick, he seemingly is looking for drive elsewhere.

Speculation about Schumacher discussing a Alpine drive popped up in Singapore which was seemingly confirmed by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. The Austrian was open to let him compete for the French outfit in their WEC’s Hypercar programme.

In fact, Wolff would be fine for Schumacher to remain as Mercedes F1 reserve while dovetailing with Alpine. “Mick has a place here as our reserve driver and is part of the family,” he said to media. “We hope that he stays with us in that role, we will give him time in the car and he can get a works seat with another manufacturer in WEC or sportscars or wherever we will always have this home here for home.

“Whatever programme he does decide he can stay, if it is possible from the other side, to stay with us as a reserve driver,” summed up Wolff. A week later, Alpine interim boss Bruno Famin confirmed about talks being held with Schumacher when asked in Japan.

“It’s true that we are talking with Mick about the possibility to race in our endurance programme with the A424,” said Famin. “It would be a good opportunity for both parties, I think but for the time being we are just talking and hopefully we will organise a test soon.”

L'entrada Alpine in talks with Schumacher as Mercedes open to dovetail ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

AlphaTauri –

Ahead of this weekend’s F1 Japanese GP, AlphaTauri released a poster using rising sun flag which has offended a section of people on social media. The poster was released about 16 hours ago with a statement only coming some time back after several messages.

The rising sun flag is equated or is compared to the Nazi swastika or reminds of Japan’s wartime atrocities in some section like Korea, China, the Philippines and few other Asian countries, while a section in Japan considers it as part of its history.

But AlphaTauri has defended the use of the symbol on the poster of Yuki Tsunoda while apologising about any offence. “We have seen some comments over the last few hours, about our Japanese GP poster,” it said. “We created this poster just for an aesthetic purpose without any intention of referencing any political movement or historic fact.

“We apologize with everyone who could be offended by such an involuntary reference. This poster was purely intended to celebrate the race week of one of the most iconic and popular races on the F1 calendar.”

McLaren –

In an interesting news, McLaren announced the hiring of Toyota WEC driver Hirakawa as one of its F1 reserves and part of its driver development programme at Suzuka in the presence of Toyota’s leading figures Kazuki Nakajima and Aki Toyoda.

The Le Mans 24 Hours winner will be doing simulator work at McLaren Technology Center and will also get to test the MCL35M as part of the testing programme. The Japanese driver will dovetail his work alongside racing for Toyota in WEC in 2024.

“I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 Team as a reserve driver. It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak and Andrea for the opportunity,” said Hirakawa. “I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to express two points of appreciation. The first one goes to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. I am grateful to them for allowing me to serve as a driver for the two teams. The second thank you goes to MORIZO-san (Akio Toyoda), who has supported me as a driver. As a driver himself, his advice was that I should drive any car that gives me the chance to develop. I therefore want to make the most of this opportunity and return the favor by showing him how I have grown.”

At the same time, team boss Andrea Stella stated: “I’m pleased to welcome Ryo to McLaren Racing as a Formula 1 reserve driver to further strengthen our growing support driver pool. We are thankful to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for their collaboration by allowing Ryo to take on the new role alongside his driving duties.

“He has an impressive record on track winning Le Mans as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship. We look forward to working closely with Ryo who has already spent time on the simulator at MTC. His wealth of experience will benefit the team in a number of areas as he joins our strong stable of drivers.”

Here’s Oscar Piastri’s new McLaren deal

L'entrada AlphaTauri defends poster use; McLaren signs Hirakawa as reserve ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

L'entrada Vandoorne secures full-time Peugeot drive for 2024 WEC season ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Hypercar –

It was a dream result for Toyota Gazoo Racing at their home race, the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji, as the Japanese manufacturer secured a one-two result. In the doing so, Toyota also sealed the manufacturers’ championship. A total of 54,700 fans attended 6 Hours of Fuji over the weekend – a record number for the Japanese round of WEC.

LMP2 –

#41 WRT Oreca-Gibson of Robert Kubica, Louis Delétraz and Rui Andrade won after overhauling the early-leading #22 United Autosports car. The trio extended their title advantage after their second win of the season.

The #31 WRT entry of Robin Frijns, Ferdinand Habsburg and Sean Gelael looked to have sealed 1-2 for WRT after Frijns vaulted United Autosports’ Filipe Albuquerque with 10 minutes to go but the Portuguese re-took the position in a thrilling fight, and along with teammates Phil Hanson and Frederik Lubin sealed second place.

Title-contending Inter Europol Competition arrived in Japan 10 points off the championship-leading Team WRT entry but experienced a difficult race weekend and took the checkered flag ninth in class.

LMGTE AM –

Davide Rigon, Thomas Flohr and Francesco Castellacci took the #54 AF Corse Ferrari to its first LMGTE Am win of 2023. The #57 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 GTE Evo of Riotmo Miyata, Takeshi Kimura and Scott Huffaker finished second to make it 1-2 for the “Prancing Horse”, however, was later handed a 10s penalty for not reducing the speed sufficiently during a Full Course Yellow period.

Title-winning #33 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C8.R experienced a hectic race that included two penalties to finish third on the road, but was promoted to second place following the penalty for the #57 car.

Here’s the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji results: http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada WEC: #7 leads #8 in 6 hours of Fuji win as Toyota seals teams’ title ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

The German sportscar legend, multiple Le Mans winner and FIA World Endurance champion hailed a “life-changing” time in Formula E, rating the series as the “most challenging and fun championship” he’s raced in.

Lotterer ‘grateful and proud’ of Formula E career

“I would like to personally thank Alejandro Agag, his team and the FIA ​​for bringing Formula E to life,” says Lotterer. “It has been a fantastic journey, and you have changed the lives of many of us.”

“Formula E was the most challenging and fun championship I have ever taken part in!” continues Lotterer. “I’m extremely grateful and proud to have driven in Formula E, to have promoted sustainable technologies and to have met the amazing people in this paddock, some of whom are now my best friends. Thank you all for the amazing support in all these years.”

Closing a decades-long chapter

“It’s time for me to close my 26 year-long chapter in formula racing,” said the 41-year old on Instagram. “I’ve decided to no longer take part in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in order to fully concentrate on my challenge with Porsche Penske Motorsport at Le Mans (for the fourth time) and in the FIA WEC.”

Andretti confirmed the news via social media, adding “we would like to thank Andre for all his efforts and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

“It was a great ride from Formula BMW and Formula Renault to Formula 3, Champ Car, Formula Nippon, Super Formula, Formula 1 and all the way to the Formula family I joined at the start of Season 4 in 2017.

“I would like to thank the people who helped me to join this innovative and exciting championship: Leo Thomas, Julian and Alexander Jakobi, JEV and the TECHEETAH team! The experiences together were great!”

Fond memories, silverware but the win remained elusive

Lotterer started out at TECHEETAH, in the 2017 double-header in Hong Kong and celebrated a maiden podium at just his fourth race in a memorable battle with teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

Eight podiums, two Julius Baer Pole Positions and three TAG Heuer Fastest Laps were his haul, but he never quite managed to convert the win in electric racing’s top tier. A move to the factory TAG Heuer Porsche squad on the German giants’ Formula E debut in Season 6 followed before Lotterer headed to Andretti for the first GEN3 campaign.

“A big thank you also to TAG Heuer Porsche for giving me the opportunity to lead the team on its Formula E debut in Season 6! Last but not least, I would like to thank my engineer, Fabrice Roussel, who supported me from the start and throughout has been incredibly supportive throughout the three Formula E teams, as well as the Avalanche Andretti for their confidence in Season 9.”

Andretti have yet to announce who’ll race alongside Formula E Drivers’ World Champion Jake Dennis.

Here’s full statement from Andre Lotterer: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw61xr_rMK6/?img_index=1

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Lotterer bids goodbye to formula racing as he leaves Andretti ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

JDC-Miller MotorSports confirmed today that 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button will be joining Tijmen van der Helm and Mike Rockenfeller in the team’s Porsche 963 GTP for the season finale Motul Petit LeMans on Oct. 11-14.

Originally from England, the 43 year old now calls Los Angeles home. As a 19 year old, he started his Formula One career in 2000 with Williams F1.  Over the next 18 years he drove for F1 teams Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda and McLaren ending his active Formula One career after the 2017 season. Jenson won the Formula One Championship with Brawn GP in 2009, and scored 15 wins, 50 podiums, 8 pole positions as well as 8 fastest laps during his Formula One career.

He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing with support from Stewart-Haas Racing and sponsorship from Mobil 1. At JDC-Miller MotorSports he will be reunited with Mike Rockenfeller, with whom he shared driving duties at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside NASCAR Champion Jimmy Johnson. The trio drove a Hendrick Motorsports entered NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as the Garage 56 entry and were a fan favorite.

JDC-Miller MotorSports started its 2023 season with the Porsche 963 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on May 12-14.  After coming home 7^th in their first race, the team has scored three top five finishes, with season high 4^th place finishes at Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and a strong 5^th at Road America.

Jenson Button, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963: “I’m very excited to announce that I will be racing at Petit Le Mans this year with 2021 Sebring winners JDC-Miller MotorSports. Whilst I’m having a lot of fun cutting my teeth in the NASCAR Cup series this year, a prototype with high downforce is definitely more in my comfort zone! That said, the Porsche 963, the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and Road Atlanta are all brand new to me so I can’t wait to tackle all three with my teammates for the weekend. I partnered with Rocky at Le Mans this year and he will be invaluable as he’s fantastic at car/team development. He is also incredibly quick which always helps! I’ll also have the pleasure of working with rookie Tijmen van der Helm who seems to really be gaining speed and confidence through the season so we should have a lot of fun.”

John Church, Managing Partner, JDC-Miller MotorSports: “JDC-Miller MotorSports is honored to confirm that Jenson will be joining us for the final race of the season in our Porsche 963 at Road Atlanta. The team had hoped to have him join Rocky and Tijmen at Watkins Glen but unfortunately that did not work out as the very busy Jenson had some TV commitments. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He and Rocky bonded through the extensive development of the Garage 56 Camaro.  We are confident he will quickly integrate with the team and get up to speed with the 963.”

Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO Porsche Motorsport North America: “Having Jenson join JDC-Miller MotorSports is a testimony to the program John Church, John Miller and the entire team has assembled. It also speaks to the high level of competition and interest in the IMSA GTP class. Rocky and Tijmen have proven how successful a privateer can be with the Porsche 963. The addition of Jenson should bring even greater success.”

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Button joins JDC-Miller for Petit LeMans debut in 2023 finale ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Lamborghini Iron Lynx has successfully completed the first on-track running of its SC63 prototype, with which it will contest next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, in a two-day test at Imola.

Following an initial shakedown at Vallelunga at the start of the month, attention quickly shifted to Imola where Lamborghini Squadra Corse engineers began calibration work on the LMDh machine alongside Lamborghini’s factory supported IMSA and WEC team, Iron Lynx.

Official factory drivers Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli and Daniil Kvyat each drove during the test, totalling 1500km, and focused on a number of development areas of the SC63, ahead of two further European tests which take place at Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps throughout the rest of August.

The three drivers worked on a variety of calibrations across the two days, most notably on the engine which is the first bespoke racing engine developed in-house by Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Additional gearshift calibration was carried out on the Xtrac gearbox which, although standard to all LMDh cars, can be customised to the brand’s requirements of gear ratios and mechanical differential slip. The team also worked on calibrations of the speed limiter and traction control as well as conducting a brake migration, cooling data acquisition and an extensive aerodynamic test.

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Lamborghini completes first test of SC63 prototype at Imola ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Lamborghini Squadra Corse today launches its first hybrid endurance racing prototype, the SC63, at Goodwood Festival of Speed. The SC63, which will begin testing within weeks, is set to compete in the Hypercar class of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Endurance Cup, comprising classic races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Lamborghini has partnered with Italian team Iron Lynx to run the car in international competition and has signed world-class drivers from the world of Formula 1 and endurance racing.

The LMDh project represents a new concept of racing and fits the Direzione Cor Tauri strategy presented in 2021: a roadmap for electrification leading the company to hybridize the entire model range by the end of 2024 enhancing driving emotions and performances at the same time. Thanks to the SC63 this approach has been applied also to the motorsport programme representing a new pillar of the Lamborghini Manifesto: Driving Humans Beyond.

“The SC63 is the most advanced racing car ever produced by Lamborghini and it follows our roadmap ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’ laid out by the brand for the electrification of our product range,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO. “The opportunity to compete in some of the biggest endurance races in the world with a hybrid prototype fits with our vision for the future of high-performance mobility, as demonstrated for road legal cars with the launch of the Revuelto. The SC63 LMDh is the step into the highest echelons and into the future of motorsports for our Squadra Corse.”

The SC63 features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine that has been developed by Lamborghini engineers specifically for the racing program. The engine is a ‘cold V’ configuration, meaning that the turbos are mounted outside the vee angle of the engine which makes them easier to cool and to service. Furthermore, the ‘cold V’ solution lowers the mass and optimizes the car’s centre of gravity. This solution, combined with a specifically developed aero balance and attitude, has been identified as the most effective to achieve the best tyre grip, and perfect balance, drivability and consistent speed both over a single lap but also across long distance races.

Power from the engine and the hybrid system, which is standard across the LMDh-category cars, is limited by regulation to 500kW (680 CV). The Power Unit is managed by a Bosch electronic control unit. The LMDh rule set specifies a standard gearbox, battery and motor generator unit (MGU), which helps to contain the development costs for the prototype. Under the skin, Lamborghini engineers have been able to exert their influence over all aspects of the car. Although the gearbox is standard across all LMDh cars, there is still freedom to customise it to a brand’s requirements including the selection of the gear ratios and the slip of the mechanical differential.

“Motorsport is, to us, also a valuable and demanding proving ground for our technology,” states Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer “Our LMDh car, the Lamborghini SC63, is an exciting challenge from both a technical and a human standpoint. The development of our internal combustion engine, aerodynamically efficient bodywork and the overall technical package is a process that has pushed us to constantly raise our own standards. Now, it is time to put the wheels in motion, literally, on track in order to be ready and competitive for the 2024 season. As we develop our LMDh car, we are also mindful of the technology transfer opportunities. We will take our learning experiences from motorsport and apply them where possible to our future production cars.”

Lamborghini has selected renowned experts Ligier as its partner to develop and build the monocoque. As the first manufacturer to select Ligier on an LMDh project, there was freedom for Lamborghini to specify its requirements, including the development of the push rod front suspension design, overall weight distribution and ease of service for critical parts of the car. The bellhousing, which fills the gap between the rear of the engine and the front of the gearbox, positively affects torsional stiffness, and has been designed to house the electric engine.

Another key aspect of development is the braking system, which must deliver the highest level of performance and reliability in all conditions. Endurance racing places a lot of stress on the brakes and the first target has been to find a compromise between weight and durability, effective cooling, and also a system that is able to accommodate different styles of driving. The bodywork has been designed by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department, in conjunction with the race design team. It features very clear brand styling cues throughout the car, including the iconic y-shaped lights at the front and rear.

“From the beginning, my personal briefing to the design-team was that the car needs to be highly functional, but we wanted to create a car that is immediately recognizable as Lamborghini,” says Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini’s Head of Design at Centro Stile. “The main recognition of the front and rear of the SC63 is driven by the y-shaped signature light. The size of the cabin and the main character of the car is driven by the sporting rules, but we have also implemented our own brand styling cues throughout the car. Integrated into the side panel of the body you can see a NACA duct that was inspired by the air intake of the Countach. When you look at the rear wheel arch, we gave the impression of acceleration towards the front, and this relates to the wheel arch design language of Lamborghini that can also been seen on the Revuelto.”

The cars will be dressed in a familiar livery, in keeping with the branding seen on the Huracán GT3 challenger. The SC63s will run in Verde Mantis green, with a black Nero Noctis strip over the cabin, front hood, carbon diffuser, rear fin and wing. The cars will also feature green, white and red Italian Tricolore colours, and will carry the branding of long-time partner of Lamborghini, Swiss watch manufacturer Roger Dubuis. The cooling layout for the car has decided much of the engineering and design. For example, air intakes into the sidepods behind the cockpit underwent several iterations before a final design was settled upon. The team has incorporated eight different radiators including two intercoolers, one gearbox radiator, one condenser for the air conditioning, one radiator for the Energy Recovery System (ERS), one for the Energy Storage System (ESS) and two water radiators.

One of the limitations of the regulation is that there is only one body kit configuration allowed, and changes that teams are allowed to make to that kit race-to-race are limited. The design team therefore has to take into account the worst-case scenario, such as high ambient temperatures, and manage the thermal efficiency of the car at both IMSA and WEC circuits. The SC63 has been designed and developed to offer the widest ‘operating window’ possible, to optimize performance while also being able to look after its tires even on the most aggressive track surfaces. Ahead track testing, intense development work has been carried out in the virtual world using a Driver in the Loop (DiL) simulator.

Further help has come from the Lamborghini factory drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli, together with new drivers Daniil Kvyat and Romain Grosjean. The latter two have recent race experience of hybrids in Formula 1 and have been able to help the engineers to tune the LMDh system, in particular design the steering wheel controls to allow the driver to control the necessary functions of the hybrid system.

“This year marks not only the 60^th anniversary of our brand, but also the tenth anniversary of Squadra Corse, Lamborghini’s motorsport division,” says Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini’s Head of Motorsport. “Over the last decade we have achieved great results. Starting from scratch we have won some of the most prestigious endurance races in the GT category for our production-based racing cars. These include three class wins at the 24 hours of Daytona, and two wins in a row at the Sebring 12 hours. Now we are ready for what is our biggest step into the future of motorsport, measuring ourselves against the best manufacturers in the world.”

Starting in 2024, one car will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship. The second car will race in the North American Endurance Championship races of the IMSA series. The Iron Lynx team, presented as a partner at the 2022 Lamborghini Grand Finals, will run the cars in both series, and the driving line up will include Bortolotti, Caldarelli, Grosjean and Kvyat. Other drivers will be confirmed later in 2023.

Iron Lynx Team Principal and CEO, Andrea Piccini, said: “Being involved in such an ambitious project is a once in a lifetime experience. We are honoured and extremely excited to be part of it and to start a new chapter for Iron Lynx with Lamborghini. It’s been amazing to see everything finally come together for the reveal of the SC63. Everyone at Iron Lynx is eager for testing to get underway. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced as a team, and we are now looking forward to seeing the SC63 on track.”

The moment you have all been waiting for. Meet the all-new @LamborghiniSC SC63 ⭐️

The long-anticipated SC63 Lamborghini LMDh has finally been unveiled today at @fosgoodwood. The Lamborghini Iron Lynx Team is set to compete in @FIAWEC and @IMSA Championships in 2024. So much… pic.twitter.com/yQjPNyyxiO

— Iron Lynx (@IronLynx_) July 13, 2023

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Lamborghini unveils SC63 car for WEC, IMSA championships ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Alpine announces the appointment of Bruno Famin as VP, Alpine Motorsports and member of Alpine Management Committee, reporting directly to Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO. In this position, Bruno Famin will lead Alpine’s activities across all motorsport disciplines.

This new organization will further simplify and reinforce Alpine’s governance under Laurent Rossi’s leadership, through the creation of functional hubs, following the nominations this year of Philippe Krief as VP, Engineering and Product Performance, and Antonino Labate as VP, Sales, Marketing & Customer Experience.

With this announcement, Alpine confirms its ambition to establish itself in the long-term as a reference in top racing categories. Bruno Famin will manage all teams ranging from Formula 1 to Endurance, to customer racing and competition such as Rallye-Raid, with Alpine providing some technical support to Dacia on its Dakar project.

Bruno Famin will also lead the Alpine Academy, with the aim of detecting and developing drivers, thus serving as a feeder to all Alpine’s motorsports endeavors. Last but not least, Bruno Famin will continue to serve as MD of Alpine Racing’s factory in Viry-Châtillon (France), supplying high performance powertrains to all these categories.

All current leaders of Alpine motorsport activities will thus report to Bruno Famin. With this appointment, Bruno Famin will be in position to leverage his extensive experience in motorsports, built on his unique track record of victories, including several titles in Le Mans and Dakar. He will also contribute with his acknowledged engineering know-how, which helped re-establish Alpine’s F1 PU as a credible reference in the paddock, as well as his extensive experience in Motorsports regulations, having long served as a well-respected FIA executive.

Here’s Pierre Gasly confused by lack of consistency

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Alpine appoints Bruno Famin as VP of motorsports division ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Hypercar –

Toyota Gazoo Racing have got their 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship title fight back on track after the Japanese manufacturer won today’s 6 Hours of Monza, round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Here’s WEC 6 Hours of Monza results: http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada WEC: #7 Toyota wins 6 Hours of Monza from #50 Ferrari ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Ahead of Austrian GP weekend, Ferrari completed a 100 km filming run at Fiorano with both Sainz and Leclerc in action, driving the SF-23. The Spaniard drove the car in the morning hours, while Leclerc did so in the afternoon.

As per reports, Sainz drove the standard Ferrari spec initially with few differences but then took the track with a different front wing. When Leclerc took over, he had a slightly different floor along with few changes on the front end of the car.

These changes are likely to be seen this weekend in Red Bull Ring. The filming day also saw Ferrari run their 499P Hypercar but not the race-winning #51. It was the second #50 car in action with Le Mans 24 Hours winner Alessandro Pier Guidi in action.

Here’s some videos of them in action –

Here’s more on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CuADN-QIuCU/?hl=en

Here’s Frederic Vasseur on Canadian GP strategy

Here’s Frederic Vasseur on discussions with Charles Leclerc

Here’s Jacques Villeneuve on Charles Leclerc lid saga

L'entrada Ferrari completes F1, Hypercar filming run at Fiorano ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council held at Cordoba released several key points regarding F1 where the first was agreement to refinements to 2026 Power Unit regulations. In relation to the regs from 2026 until 2030, it also confirmed two suppliers, they are:

• F1 knock sensor: Bosch has been appointed as single supplier.
• F1 insulation monitoring device: Bender GmbH & Co. KG has been appointed as single supplier.

As revealed earlier, the FIA confirmed that all the 10 F1 teams gained the 3-Star Environment Accreditation from the governing body. Moving on to the safet aspect of the events, it focused on two races, the Australian GP and the Spanish GP.

The post-race track invasion where fans were close to a ‘live’ car of Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and several seen plucking with the FIA equipment at the main straight, the governing body is awaiting a report from the orginsers by June end.

But the FIA already has a remediation plan in place to address the safety and security concerns. In addition, they looked at the happening at the Spanish GP grid where footballer Neymar and few others were still spotted at the side when the formation lap was on.

There are provisions for guest to remain on the grid when the formation lap is on, but Neymar and others weren’t given a go ahead. The FIA respects the guests, but they will learn from the slip for not just F1, but also Formula E and WEC.

“We must take learnings from the incident at the Spanish Grand Prix. The FIA has been assured by Stefano Domenicali (CEO of Formula 1), that measures are being taken to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“It is an issue not just in Formula 1 but also in Formula E and World Endurance Championship and other categories from my recent experiences with too many people on the grid at some events. I have no doubt that in all cases, the promoter will adhere to the FIA requirements on safety and security. It is the duty of the FIA to  ensure a safe environment for all. Safety in motor sport is the Federation’s main priority.”

Here’s Stefano Domenicali full on F1 podcast

Here’s Drive to Survive producer on the F1 show

Here’s auction for Emila Romagna

Here’s Singapore with new lighting system

Here’s news on new F1 drama series

L'entrada FIA shares F1 tender results, adds on Aus & Spain track/grid issue ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

After Ricciardo was confirmed to drive at Nordschleife for a demo run in a Red Bull for the September 9 event, four-time F1 champion Vettel joins the Australian to drive his old car at the 12 Hours of Nurburgring in few months time.

This will be his first time with Red Bull since his departure to Ferrari from the F1 team. It will also his first drive in a F1 car since announcing his retirement at the end of the 2022 season while driving for Aston Martin – with his taken by Fernando Alonso.

“So I’m all the more pleased that Red Bull is giving me the chance to turn onto the Nordschleife at Red Bull Formula Nürburgring,” said Vettel in a short note. Here’s him announcing it: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtebwLiqaLH/?hl=en

Here’s the release –

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo are just the beginning: The Who’s Who of international motorsport on two and four wheels is celebrating the return of Formula 1 cars to the legendary Nordschleife of the Nurburgring.

Look forward to legendary greats of motorsport on two and four wheels, who, together with young racing talents, will make the Nordschleife tremble. In the coming days and weeks you will find out which drivers are chasing up the Adenauer Forest and trying their hand at the tricky Caracciola carousel.

Look forward to impressive show runs, stars to touch and the return of Formula 1 to one of the most dangerous and longest racetracks in the world. On September 9th, we will be celebrating a unique motorsport festival of a very special kind, not only on the cult track, but also in the paddock. Be there up close on the open grandstands, in the paddock interior and in various event zones.

Get your tickets now for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring as part of the 12h Nürburgring. Click here for the ticket portal. In the next few weeks you will find out here which drivers and vehicles you can experience live at the Nürburgring. You may be curious.

Here’s Daniel Ricciardo confirmed for Nordschleife run

Here’s latest on Laurent Mekies

Here’s Christian Horner on Rob Marshall

Here’s Christian Horner on Sergio Perez’s situation

L'entrada Vettel joins Ricciardo in Nurburgring Red Bull F1 demo run ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Hypercar –

#51 Ferrari with overall win upon return to WEC along with boss John Elkann –

Alessandro Pier Guidi: “It takes time to grasp what we did. Probably now, we are part of the history of Ferrari, the biggest brand in the world. As an Italian, I have dreamed of driving for this brand since childhood. Now it’s real. We won Le Mans with a red car. It isn’t easy to describe what you feel. It’s a mix of emotions. If you think about how much work there is behind this victory. We worked 24/7. We tried to give our best, but everyone worked non-stop, the engineers and the mechanics, for one year, and the work finally paid off. We knew from the start that reliability would be a key factor. The car was new and the race crazy: the weather was mad, with many slow zones and safety cars. But in the end, Le Mans is always like this. You have to try to stay out of trouble or at least to minimise the mistakes. I think we did quite well.”

James Calado: “It’s an amazing feeling to win this race. The team did an amazing job. The track was amazing, honestly. It feels so special to drive: the balance, the performance, the engine, the way it works were superb. It’s a big thanks to everyone involved in this project to make this happen. I think it shows what Ferrari is made of. Obviously, I’ve won here in GT twice, but this is a bit different. Definitely a different feeling: the attention involved, the Ferrari fans, you can see all the red in every corner. So, a big thanks to all the supporters. I’m very happy.”

Antonio Giovinazzi: “For me and Alessandro it’s an even more special feeling. We first drove this car last July, so to have achieved this result, pole and victory, after just under a year, is undoubtedly fantastic. It was by no means a given that we’d make it, but the entire team and my teammates did a great job, and here we are today. Thanks to Ferrari, who made all this happen. We are back to winning ways after 50 years, and we should be very proud.”

John Elkann: “This has been an unforgettable day that I’d like to dedicate to everyone at Ferrari. After 50 years we have returned to compete in the highest category of endurance racing that has a place at the very heart of our story and that of all motorsport. We’re proud indeed to have taken Italy once again to the top step of the podium at Le Mans, celebrating in the best possible style the centenary of the most important race of its kind in the world.This victory that Antonello Coletta, Amato Ferrari and the entire team, from our mechanics to our drivers, have achieved today in such challenging conditions – because of the 24 hour duration, the unpredictable weather and the impressive strength of our competitors – serves as an example for us all. The emotions they have given to our tifosi on a great day that brings together past, present and future, is also a reminder of the importance of finding the courage and the humility to always improve. Full of enthusiasm and joy, I’d like to thank all our colleagues who have given us this extraordinary victory: a success that we celebrate with all of our tifosi and with our country”.

LMP2 –

#34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 – Gibson with LMP2 win and P9 overall –

Kuba Śmiechowski: “The season started months and months before the first race of the year, and we arrived here at Le Mans knowing that we had good speed and we had to stay out of trouble. My teammates did an incredible job to be fast, whatever the conditions. It was to make a mistake when it rained. My teammates, the team did an incredibly Great strategy and teamwork, and I am so grateful to the team.”

Fabio Scherer: “It’s mythical, amazing. The car was great, with good pace and performance. The race for us was amazing, everything worked well and think it’s the result the team deserved! We don’t always get the result that our pace shows. Honestly, after the first stint, I thought my race was over but here, I do not want to speak about my foot, I wish to speak about the team and result. Winning a race like this is like nothing else.”

Albert Costa: “The first podium at Spa was just a starter; I am on a crazy journey with IEC. It’s a new team to me from the start of the season. Here has been amazing! I could not sleep here at Le Mans. First, you want to race here, in whatever category. As good as the team is, it’s always difficult but the team stay calm, and everybody helped through the moments. The most impressive thing for me is the way they are growing, and now, I want to cry, every time I say that we won Le Mans.”

LMGTE Am –

#33 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette win LMGTE Am win and P26 overall –

Nicky Catsburg: “This is the one race that I wanted. Now I have all the big ones, so this is super awesome. Even yesterday afternoon, I didn’t think this was possible. But somehow we made it back to the front. These two guys drove unbelievably fast and all of a sudden we were back in contention and won with a massive lead. It’s an unbelievable feeling. I could see we were very fast. The only really worry was that I didn’t use our Bronze yet. But whenever we put him in the car, he’s just as fast as anyone else. All of a sudden, there was no deficit anymore. It was awesome. I’ve never taken the finish here. I didn’t know it was so super-crazy on the in-lap, so that was nice. That it’s the 100th anniversary makes it special. That it’s the last year of GTE makes it extra special. That it’s the last year of the C8.R makes it extra special. I’m so happy for the whole team because I feel like we should have already won it in the years before. So it’s sweet for this to happen this year.”

Ben Keating: “You can look at all the stats about it being the last year of GTE, the Centenary of Le Mans, the 25tth season of Corvette Racing, an American driver racing an American car with an American team… that even doesn’t do this justice. After the first hour when we had to replace the right-front damper, I thought there was no chance. Even when I went to sleep at midnight angry because we didn’t get our lap back because race control messed up, I thought it was over and I was so mad. To wake up and I think we were running in P4 a few hours later, I was baffled. I didn’t understand how in the world we were there. All of our strategy completely went out the window. We had everything lined up and planned exactly how we were going to do it. Nico got sick and I didn’t plan on doing any driving, and I ended up driving from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. I didn’t plan on doing any driving in the rain, and I ended up having a stint in the rain. Everything got turned on its head. It turned out that it was exactly what we needed to get our laps back. The way we won it is special. To feel like it was out of reach and then watch this team claw back and get victory out defeat’s grasp was really special. It was really nice to feel like I was a part of that. It’s one of those deals where you can look at every member of the team on this win, and you know everyone contributed. That makes it special.”

Nico Varrone: “I have no words even though it’s only just been an hour from the end. It’s just been incredible. Our race basically started two laps down early, but the team was so fast in managing to repair it. We went back out and had great pace and a great car. The Corvette Racing team, the engineers and strategy, my teammates Nicky – he’s a legend and did a lot of stints and was really quick – Ben – even though he’s a Bronze, he was flying – all of GM and Chevrolet, my family and everyone… there are a lot of people involved in this. It’s a dream come true. The team is amazing. The support I get from them is great. It’s like a family here. Every time I jump in the car or when I get out, they’re always there hugging me. Even on the pit stop, they are telling me that I’m doing great. This is really good for a racing driver and for your feelings. It’s great. After the start, I thought it was OK and it’s a long race and we would maybe have a chance. But it was really optimistic to think it would be like this. We are in this position and have to try to manage it and get to the end.”

Toyota’s chief Koji Sato on losing Le Mans –

“In the 100th anniversary year, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC team gave it their all in a Le Mans 24 Hours that created incredible challenges for them to win their sixth straight victory. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us. Having worked hard for a year with the team, I know many aspects of the team. Kamui spoke with the team on a daily basis and continued to convey the significance of fighting and the importance of teamwork. Mike, Jose, Seb, Brendon, Ryo, and driver Kamui, the drivers pushed themselves as athletes and created a car which could fight for victory. For this day, the mechanics had perfected their work step by step, and practiced pit stops day after day.

“The engineers brilliantly solved the problems that occurred at Le Mans two years ago and last year, and greatly improved the reliability of the car. Together with Morizo, the team faced the challenge also with Uchiyamada, who continued to support Toyota’s challenge in WEC. No matter what the circumstances, I am proud of all the members of the team because it is the result of endless efforts and challenge, without giving up. All were heroes. There may have been some shortcomings in our challenges. But failure only happens to those who try. It takes tremendous courage to challenge beyond the limits. I believe that courage is the driving force behind changing the future. “Be a challenger”. This year’s Le Mans has taught us how to approach the next 100 years. Thank you for all your support. We will continue to fight.”

Here’s how Le Mans 24 Hours panned out

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Le Mans 24 Hours: Winners have their say and Toyota adds on P2 ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

HYPERCAR: Winner – No.51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P 

Ferrari has ended a 58-year-long wait for the 24 Hours of Le Mans victory on the centenary of the French endurance classic. #51 499P of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi came out on top in an action-packed edition of the race that was round four of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship season.

Ferrari secured its 10th overall Le Mans victory upon its first appearance in top class since 1973 and first win since 1965. In the closing stages, the race was on between the chasing #8 Toyota Gazoo GR010 Hybrid driven by Ryo Hirakawa and Giovinazzi who was in the lead. Hirakawa, however, buried his chances following a spin under braking for the Arnage Corner.

Both front and rear ends were damaged resulting in an unscheduled pit stop for new bodywork sections and the Japanese driver re-joined just under a lap down on the leading 499P. Pier Guidi, who took over the #51 car from Giovinazzi, was able to race to the chequered flag with a winning margin of 1m27.056s.

That came despite a heart-stopping moment at the final pit-stop when the car initially refused to start. Calado and Pier Guidi add the overall and Hypercar win to their 2019 and 2021 LMGTE Pro wins, while Giovinazzi becomes the first driver since Fernando Alonso in 2018 to win Le Mans at first attempt.

Toyota Gazoo Racing had to settle for second place with the #8 car of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Hirakawa Ferrari also ended Toyota’s victory streak of five wins which spans from 2018 to 2022. Cadillac Racing claimed a third and a fourth-place finish as the #2 V Series.R of Alex Lynn, Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook heads home the #3 car of Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon.

The second Ferrari AF Corse 499P, driven by Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina rounded out the top five. Glickenhaus Racing maintained its 100% finishing record at Le Mans as #708 and #709 claimed sixth and seventh positions.

• Ferrari score sensational win at Le Mans upon their first appearance in top class since 1973 and its 10^th overall
• Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi win after mighty battle to take the Prancing Horse’s 10^th win at La Sarthe and its first since 1965
• In the closing stages the race was on between the chasing No.8 Toyota Gazoo GR010 Hybrid Hypercar driven by Ryo Hirakawa and leader Antonio Giovinazzi when Hirakawa spun under braking for Arnage Corner
• Front and rear damage ensured an unscheduled pit stop for new bodywork sections and the Japanese driver re-joined just under a lap down on the Ferrari 499P
• Alessandro Pier Guidi was able to race to the chequered flag with a winning margin of 1m27.056s
• That came despite a heart-stopping moment at the final pit-stop when the car initially refused to start!
• Calado and Pier Guidi add the overall and Hypercar win to their 2019 and 2021 LMGTE Pro wins, while Giovinazzi becomes the first driver since Fernando Alonso in 2018 to win Le Mans at his first attempt
• Toyota Gazoo Racing have to settle for second places with the No.8 car of Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Hirakawa
• It breaks Toyota’s victory streak of five wins which spans from 2018 to 2022.
• Cadillac Racing claim a third and fourth place finish as the No.2 Alex Lynn, Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook crewed V Series.R heads home the No.2 car of Renger van der Zande, Sebastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon
• They head home the second Ferrari AF Corse 499P, driven by Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco and Miguel Molina, who almost catch the Porsche for fifth in the closing stages
• Glickenhaus Racing maintain their 100% finishing record at Le Mans as No.708 and No.709 claim sixth and seventh positions
• The highest Peugeot TotalEnergies 9X8 finisher is the No.93 car of Paul di Resta, Jean-Eric Vergne and Mikkel Jensen in eighth place
• Porsche takes ninth with the No.5 963 of Michael Christensen, Dane Cameron and Frederic Makowiecki
• The delayed No.311 Action Express Cadillac takes 10^th in Hypercar ahead of the No.6 Porsche Penske and No.94 Peugeot TotalEnergies 9X8.
• The final classified finisher is the Hertz Team Jota Porsche 963 which takes a distant 13^th after spending most of final hours in pits
• The Floyd Vanwall, No.75 Porsche Penske and No.7 Toyota Gazoo Racing entries all fail to finish

LMP2:  Winner – No.34 Inter Europol Competition  

• Amazing final hour battle between the long-time leading No.34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca-Gibson driven by Fabio Scherer and the No.41 Team WRT car of Louis Deletraz thrills the massive Le Mans crowd.
• The fight is settled when Scherer is able to hold off Deletraz’s attack despite the gap coming down to just nine seconds in the final moments of the race
• Inter Eurpol Competition therefore become the first Polish team to win in WEC, after achieving their first podium only last time out in Spa
• Robin Frijns had hunted down the No.30 Duqueine Racing entry in the final hour to look as though he would grab a double podium for the Team WRT squad.
• However, Duqueine’s Neel Jani ensured that he and teammates Rene Binder and Nicolas Pino took the French teams best ever Le Mans result in LMP2 at Le Mans
• No.36 Alpine ELF Team trio of Charles Milesi, Julien Canal and Matthieu Vaxiviere take fourth ahead of the No.31 Team WRT car of Frijns, Ferdinand Habsburg and Rui Andrade who have to settle for fifth
• IDEC Sport round out the top six with Paul Loup Chatin, Laurents Horr and Paul Lafargue at wheel of ‘Delage’ tribute car

LMGTE AM: Winner – No.33 Corvette Racing  

• Corvette Racing take first ever LMGTE Am victory at Le Mans as Ben Keating, Nicolas Varrone and Nicky Catsburg toast hard-earned win after difficult start to the race
• The pole winning car struggled with a damper problem in first portion of race but came through to win and extend their large WEC points lead at the same time
• Keating takes second consecutive Le Mans LMGTE Am win, while Varrone becomes only second Argentinian to taste victory at La Sarthe
• The No.33 Corvette becomes the first GTE Am polesitter to even finish on the LM podium
• ORT by TF Sport take runners-up position after late battle with the Iron Dames Porsche sees Charlie Eastwood make move on Rahel Frey’s Iron Dames Porsche 911 RSR-19 on the Mulsanne late on in race
• Eastwood celebrates with teammates Ahmed Al Harthy and Michael Dinan
• The final rung on the podium goes to the GR Racing Porsche 911 RSR-19 of Mike Wainwright, Riccardo Pera and Ben Barker who go one better after finishing fourth in 2022
• Iron Dames trio of Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Sarah Bovy take fourth ahead of the No.54 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo of Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci and Davide Rigon
• Northwest AMR Aston Martin’s Ian James, Alex Riberas and Daniel Mancinelli complete the top six positions

INNOVATION  

• Hendrick Motorsports take popular finish with new generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 NASCAR after largely faultless display from Jenson Button, Jimmy Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. All-American project finishes 39th overall the second-best Innovation category result

Here’s full WEC Le Mans 24 Hours results: http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/

[Note: The story is as per press release]

More to come

L'entrada WEC: #51 Ferrari wins Le Mans 24 Hours to end Toyota’s reign ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

Alpine –

A NEW ERA

A stalwart in endurance racing since 2013, Alpine renews and reaffirms its love of competition with its entry into the premier category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). The A424_β initiates this new chapter by drawing on the brand’s racing heritage and DNA. Its design reveals the styling cues of its future production models. Thanks to the LMDh regulations, this prototype illustrates Alpine’s sportiness while embodying its ambitions in a category where it will challenge the most famous names in motorsport.

AN EVOCATIVE NAME 

With its design, the A424_β reaffirms the brand’s DNA while foreshadowing its future. Its name A424_β is a symbol of this: the terminology of the A followed by three digits beginning with 4, respects the tradition of Alpine’s winning Endurance cars, 24 echoes the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2024, and β designates the final phase before its launch.

The A424_β is the epitome of Alpine elegance and sportiness. A genuine work of automotive art, it heralds Alpine’s future light signature on an extraordinarily racy and assertive front end, while the rear reveals two exceptionally eye-catching A-arrows. The triangular motif symbolising Alpine’s snowflakes equally also shines through the daggerboards and rear wing.

In the cockpit, the drivers will seat within the refined, sleek and smooth bodywork similar to a road-going supercar. The flanks are equally inspired by Alpenglow, Alpine’s manifesto, embodying the fascinating future of the brand’s production and competition models.

Introducing our new challenger: Alpine A424_β ✨

On a track near you in 2024.#AlpineEnduranceTeam #AlpineRacing pic.twitter.com/nrzzKtXult

— Alpine Endurance Team (@SignatechAlpine) June 9, 2023

The product of close collaboration between the Alpine and Oreca teams, this LMDh prototype sets the A-arrow brand on the road to automotive and sporting excellence. @SignatechAlpine #AlpineEnduranceTeam #AlpineRacing #WEC pic.twitter.com/KJ1rcZJxVD

— Alpine Racing (@AlpineRacing) June 9, 2023

Ford –

The best-known sports car will compete in the world’s most iconic endurance race as the Ford Mustang GT3 takes on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2024. The Mustang GT3 race car, based on the all-new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, was unveiled to the racing world today during the centenary celebration on the eve of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Mustang race car boasts a bold, colorful new look from Troy Lee, who is recognized as one of the premier motorsports designers in the world. The legendary Mustang GT3 represents Lee’s first foray with Ford race cars. With the reveal, Ford officially enters Mustang into the global FIA GT3 category. Ford’s most recent triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 2016 with the Ford GT.

Fresh Branding, New Logo

To coincide with the unveiling, Ford also is revealing new, global Ford Performance branding – a cleaner, simplified look that will now be featured on all its racing vehicles. This expressive and engaging new identity will help position Ford Performance as a standout lifestyle brand with a sporting mindset. The new Ford Performance mark is easier to integrate across various environments and spaces, including car liveries, merchandise/apparel, display assets, parts/accessories and in advertising.

Continuing Relationships with Two Longtime Partners

Ford Performance extended its relationship with two longtime partners in Multimatic and M-Sport for the basis of this project. Multimatic, builders of the iconic Ford GT, were also involved in the Ford GT race program and will help build and support the Mustang GT3s, while longtime World Rally Championship partner and two-time championship winning team M-Sport will assemble the Ford Performance-developed 5.4-liter Coyote-based V8 engines that power this powerful new pony.

“For a project like the Mustang GT3, we turned to two of our most trusted partners in the motorsports world to help bring this vehicle and program together,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “I know we’ll all be as thrilled as Ford fans when Mustang begins racing at the highest levels of GT racing in 2024.”

The Mustang GT3 race car features a bespoke short-long arm suspension, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels, as well as a unique aero package developed to meet GT3 targets.

Proton Competition Becomes First WEC Customer Team for Mustang GT3

Before going to Le Mans in 2024, the Mustang GT3 will compete in various GT3 series across the globe in the hands of customer teams. The first customer team, announced today, is Proton Competition. Based in Ehingen, Germany, Proton intends to campaign a pair of Mustang GT3s in the FIA World Endurance Championship, starting in 2024.*

“This is a very important program and an exciting moment for our organization,” said Proton Competition team principal Christian Ried. “The Mustang is a great brand and this is an important step for our team. We look forward to joining with Ford starting in 2024.”

Ford Performance will also field a two-car factory race program with Mustang GT3 in IMSA’s GTD Pro class. This will be managed by Multimatic Motorsports and begin at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

For the first time ever in 120 years… the @FordMustang GT3.#BredtoRaceFP #FordLeMans pic.twitter.com/TFPEhOlTp6

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) June 9, 2023

We’re ready to go racing. Again. #GT3 @24hoursoflemans @FordPerformance #BredtoRaceFP #FordLeMans pic.twitter.com/CkKXjIBT9L

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) June 9, 2023

We’re pleased to share that @ProtonRacing is the first customer team for #FordMustang GT3. #FordLeMans #BredtoRaceFP🔥👏

*Concept Livery Only, Not Final.* pic.twitter.com/M6R3CgztEh

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) June 9, 2023

Here’s 2024 WEC calendar

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada Alpine shows its Hypercar for 2024, Ford unveils new Mustang GT3 ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.

The WEC will visit eight countries across four continents for its 12^th season which will include a further influx of manufacturers to the headline Hypercar category. Doha, Qatar, will host the WEC Prologue and the season-opener for the very first time in early March 2024 at Lusail International Circuit. A race lasting under 10 hours, will be called the Qatar 1812km, named after the country’s National Day and a pillar of celebration each year.

The championship will then move to another new race venue, as Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola) replaces Autodromo Nazionale Monza as the Italian round of the WEC whose date moves forward from July to April. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which recently signed a five-year contract extension with the series promoter, Le Mans Endurance Management, for both WEC and European Le Mans Series, will form the third round of the championship before the series returns to France for its biggest race of the year: the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans (15-16 June).

Following an agreement with São Paulo’s City Hall, the WEC will return to Brazil for the first time since 2014 for the 6 Hours of São Paulo at the Interlagos Circuit in mid-July. The championship then travels to Austin, Texas, for round six and a return to the Circuit of the Americas for the Lone Star Le Mans, last held in 2020.

Fuji International Speedway will stage the penultimate round of the calendar with its popular race in Japan in mid-September. Bahrain will once again host the season finale at the magnificent Bahrain International Circuit at the start of November when the 2024 World Champions will be crowned at a glittering awards ceremony. Next year’s races will vary in length between six and 24 hours.

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President: “It is always encouraging to see FIA championships growing in strength. The announcement of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship is another positive development within the series. For 2024, the calendar expands both in the number of races, and more importantly, geographical diversity, bringing WEC to more people. Looking at the bigger picture, the evolution of the calendar coincides with the rise of FIA WEC’s profile, and in particular its premier Hypercar class. This is testament to the reform of the series’ regulatory foundations carried out jointly by the FIA and the ACO, which has attracted new manufacturers.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO): “The 2024 FIA WEC season promises to be greater than ever before. A record number of entries in the Hypercar class and a calendar of eight races on as many magnificent circuits make for an exciting prospect. Drivers will be getting to grips with four new tracks. That’s quite a challenge! It gives me great pleasure to see that the calendar reflects the rejuvenation of our discipline and I am grateful to all the circuits that will be hosting races in the eagerly awaited season to come.”

Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President: “The evolution of the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar over the last couple of seasons proves that the world’s premier endurance racing series is on an upward trajectory. The 2024 schedule offers a great mixture of well-established circuits and venues that are new to WEC. What’s important is the fact that the calendar remains comprised of world-class racing circuits. The fact that WEC is breaking new grounds and visiting new markets is also very important to all the manufacturers that committed to their endurance racing programmes, especially in the Hypercar class. Plus, some of the countries that have been on the WEC calendar for a number of years will have new circuits hosting the races and this should give the fans something extra to look forward to.”

Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship: “The 2024 FIA WEC calendar is a mix of traditional motorsport venues and key markets that are important for our manufacturers, key stakeholders and partners. It is always a challenge finding the right balance but with four new venues, two of which are completely new to the WEC, as well as four well-established races, we have created a good mix of old and new. Eight races across five different regions will also bring our series to an even greater audience, as well as building momentum throughout the year. Today’s announcement is yet again another indication of WEC’s very bright future.”

WEC: #50 takes Le Mans 24 Hours pole in a Ferrari 1-2

[Note: The story is as per press release]

L'entrada WEC reveals expanded 2024 calendar ha aparegut primer a FormulaRapida.net.