World Endurance Championship 2023: Schedule, Teams, and Latest News

Introduction

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) is a global sports car racing series organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The championship features a diverse range of prototypes and GT cars competing on iconic circuits around the world.

2023 Schedule

The 2023 WEC season consists of six races held across four different continents.

1. 1000 Miles of Sebring (March 11-12)

2. 6 Hours of Portimão (April 15-16)

3. 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (May 27-28)

4. 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 10-11)

5. 6 Hours of Monza (July 8-9)

6. 8 Hours of Bahrain (November 4-5)

Teams and Drivers

The 2023 WEC grid features a mix of established teams and new entrants.

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Gazoo Racing is the reigning WEC champion, with Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa returning to defend their title. The team will field two Toyota GR010 Hybrids.

Peugeot TotalEnergies

Peugeot returns to WEC after a decade-long absence with the 9X8, a hybrid hypercar driven by Kevin Magnussen, Paul Di Resta, and Loïc Duval.

Glickenhaus Racing

Glickenhaus Racing will enter two 007 LMH cars, driven by Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook, and Olivier Pla.

Vanwall Racing

Vanwall Racing, owned by former F1 driver Colin Kolles, will debut the Vanwall Vandervell 680 LMH in 2023.

Hypercar Class

The Hypercar class is the top category in WEC, featuring hybrid prototypes powered by internal combustion and electric motors.

Differences from LMP1

Hypercars differ from the previous LMP1 category in several ways:

• Lower costs and more restrictions on technology
• Greater emphasis on road relevance
• Hybrid powertrains are mandatory

Regulations

Hypercars must conform to the following regulations:

• Minimum weight of 1030 kg
• Maximum power output of 680 hp (500 kW)
• Electric power limited to 200 kW (268 hp)

LMP2 Class

The LMP2 class is for closed-cockpit prototypes powered by V8 engines.

Teams and Drivers

The LMP2 class is highly competitive, with several teams and drivers capable of winning races.

Key Teams

• Prema Powerteam
• JOTA Sport
• United Autosports
• Team WRT
• High Class Racing

GTE Pro and GTE Am Classes

The GTE Pro and GTE Am classes feature production-based GT cars with modifications for racing. GTE Pro is for professional drivers, while GTE Am is for amateur drivers.

Key Teams and Drivers

Leading teams in GTE Pro include Ferrari, Porsche, and Corvette, while GTE Am features a variety of smaller teams and manufacturers.

24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the pinnacle event of the WEC season, taking place on the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe in France.

History

The 24 Hours of Le Mans was first held in 1923 and has since become a legendary race that tests teams and drivers to the limit.

Importance

Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans brings immense prestige and is considered the ultimate achievement in endurance racing.

Conclusion

The 2023 World Endurance Championship promises to be an exciting season with new teams, drivers, and cars. The Hypercar class, in particular, is set to bring a new level of competition and technological innovation to the sport. With the 24 Hours of Le Mans serving as the championship's highlight, the WEC is positioned to continue delivering thrilling racing action throughout the year.