Divyank Kushagra Bansal 
The 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship is set to witness participation from 14 manufacturers across two classes – the highest in the FIA WEC’s history. In total, these manufacturers will field a total of 37 cars next year, with 19 in the Hypercar class and 18 in the LMGT3. The new LMGT3 class comes in as a replacement for the former LM GTE Am category (Am represents an amateur driver line-up) that has been a part of the WEC grid since the series’ inaugural season in 2012. The LMGT3 class will be based on FIA’s existing GT3 technical regulations and will continue to focus on gentlemen or amateur drivers.
The list of participating manufacturers comprises Aston Martin, BMW, Alpine, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota, and Isotta Fraschini. Of these, Alpine (A424), BMW (M Hybrid V8), Lamborghini (SC63), and Isotta Fraschini (Tipo6-C) will mark their debut in the hypercar class.
The entry list also revealed the names of select drivers confirmed to participate. These include renowned motorsport personalities like seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, former F1 and WRC driver Robert Kubica, and former Haas F1 and current Mercedes F1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher. While Rossi will pilot a BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT in the LMGT3 class, freshly-crowned LMP2 champion Kubica will pilot the new AF Corse-entered Ferrari 499P hypercar. Interestingly, Schumacher’s name seems to be missing from the season entry list announced by the WEC, even though he’s been confirmed to drive for the Alpine Endurance Team.
The 2024 WEC will also mark a return to South America with the addition of a round in Brazil (6 Hours of Sao Paulo) and to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA – Lone Star Le Mans) in Texas, USA, bringing up the total to eight rounds. One can also expect new rounds in Doha (Qatar 1812km) and Italy (6 Hours of Imola). In all, the championship will traverse five regions – Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and South America. The remaining rounds will take place at previously visited locations at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Le Mans (France), Fuji (Japan) and Bahrain.
