Endurance will finally regain its image with the arrival of many manufacturers, some of whom are making a comeback in the discipline. As the 2022 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans looms, the majority will wait until 2023 to take the start of the Le Mans classic, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
With the appearance of the new Hypercar regulations, the World Endurance Championship (WEC) is once again attracting car manufacturers, especially because of its lower development costs. While some manufacturers have already taken to the track in 2021 and will return in 2022, others are actively preparing their return… for 2023! The poster for the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans promises to be incredible with the confirmed presence of Peugeot, Ferrari, Audi, BMW, Porsche and even Cadillac.
>> The participants in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans in pictures <<
An LMH category…
The new Hypercar regulations of the endurance championship regroup two categories: Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh). We will come back to this later. The LMH category is the one that will host the Peugeot 9X8. This category allows brands to develop a prototype from a blank page by making the chassis, the powertrain (hybrid or not) and by designing a body in its image. Within the French team, we find the gimmicks crossed on certain series models such as the luminous fangs. Under the hood, the 9X8 features a 680 hp hybrid biturbo V6. The year 2023 will also mark Ferrari’s great return to the premier category after fifty years of absence. Unlike the Lioness, nothing is known yet about the Prancing Horse hypercar.
The two manufacturers will join Toyota, which has been participating in the Le Mans event since 2021. Aston Martin, which was expected to be firm on the track with its Valkyrie, remains rather unclear as to a possible commitment to Hypercar. According to Lawrence Stroll, one of the brand’s co-owners, the Gaydon firm is ” in discussion to return to Le Mans “. The Canadian businessman first wants to return to success in F1 with a five-year plan to reach the heights.
TO READ. Why will the Peugeot 9X8 not take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2022?
… and LMDh
Cars that meet LMDh regulations have the particularity of being able to race in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the American Championship (IMSA). The biggest difference with the LMHs is in the chassis. This is provided by approved partners: Oreca, Ligier, Multimatic and Dallara. In addition, LMDh prototypes must include hybridization and share the same gearbox. It is in this category that Porsche will make its big comeback in 2023. The Stuttgart brand will be alongside another firm of the Volkswagen group: Audi. Both are working closely together on the development of their car and will rely on a Multimatic chassis. For the record, these are the two brands with the most titles on the Le Mans classic: 19 victories for Porsche, 13 for Audi.
Across the Atlantic, it is Cadillac which will again launch into endurance after twenty years of absence with the Gran Touring Prototype. At BMW, the laps of the LMDh prototype in 2023 will only be done in IMSA for the moment. A return to Le Mans is under consideration, but it would not take place before the following year.
Finally, Alpine will be present at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans but with a modified LMP1, like last season. The brand with the arrowed A will go even further in 2024 thanks to a new LMDh car developed in collaboration with Oreca. ” In 2023, we will also animate the scene in one way or another. It is important that the team continues to be operational to best prepare for the 2024 commitment » confided Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, at the microphone of The argus in October 2021.
