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WEC quits LMP2: Van der Garde, Frijns and Viscaal possibly out of work

WEC quits LMP2: uncertainty for top drivers like Fittipaldi and Kubica

9 June 2023 at 21:12
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  • GPblog.com

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) will no longer have a place for the LMP2 class from the '24 season. From next year, the endurance championship will continue with two classes: the Hypercars and the LMGT3 (the current GT class). 

This season, thirteen hypercars are already competing in the WEC championship. Next year, that number will increase further. Lamborghini, BMW, Alpine and Isotta Fraschini will join them with (several) cars in 2024. This makes the grid so crowded that the FIA has to make room. It will do so by scrapping the LMP2 class. In this class, well-known names like Pietro Fittipaldi and Robert Kubica currently compete. Incidentally, Team WRT has been rumoured to join the hypercars next year with BMW. This Belgian team is the employer of Kubica and also Robin Frijns.


Welcome at Le Mans

Incidentally, Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) has already announced that there will indeed be room for 'at least' 15 LMP2 cars at the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours. But the remaining seven races on the WEC calendar do not welcome these cars. They can seek refuge in European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The GT class does remain active in the WEC. According to the FIA, the GT class has traditionally been the foundation of the championship. This class will have the LMGT3 class from 2024.


Calendar for 2024

The FIA has also announced the calendar for next season. There is no longer a place for Sebring and Monza. However, WEC will run at the circuit in Imola. Spa is also back on the calendar. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be finished next year on the weekend of 15 and 16 June.