[WEC] The 2023 and beyond DRIVER ANNOUNCEMENTS MEGA THREAD

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by chunterer

So no more Yefei Ye?

Maybe his contract doesn't expire after this year so was no need to extend yet.

Originally Posted by FIRE

Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman and China Yifei Ye are AF Corse.

Ye and Russian have Ferrari contracts as well.

[tomcug]

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...iecki-departs/
Important and a bit unexpected even changes at Porsche. Never heard before Makowiecki's seat was at risk.

[PhilipR]

Maybe Makowiecki is going with a different manufacturer

As a Andre fan I hope he still stays in the championship next year even if with Proton. But I guess age and time catches up with everybody

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by tomcug

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...iecki-departs/
Important and a bit unexpected even changes at Porsche. Never heard before Makowiecki's seat was at risk.

The big driver (pun intended) is Porsche's move to two-driver teams (which is in itself a large slap in the face for the ACO's proposed three-driver mandate...). Makowiecki's never quite fulfilled the promise he had in GTLM, but his vast experience should see him picked up elsewhere, GT more lilely than hypercar (maybe he does a reverse Bruni). I think everyone saw Lotterer's demotion coming; even though he has picked it up in the last few races he's always been that little bit behind Estre/Vanthoor, and that little bit counts in such a tightly-regulated class. To me, Cameron being dropped is the biggest surprise - I don't see what pace or consistency sets Christensen apart from him, they've both done a decent job in the #5, albeit usually behind the #6. Back to IMSA for Cameron then? Replacing Derani at AXR perhaps?

Along with the expected promotion of Andlauer (to the #5), Porsche's lineups are as follows:

WEC #5: Andlauer, Christensen (Jaminet)
WEC #6: Estre, Vanthoor (Campbell)

IMSA #6: Campbell, Jaminet (Estre)
IMSA #7: Nasr, Tandy (Vanthoor)

What Porsche arguably lose in driver availability they make for up in ability - that's the strongest lineup any hypercar manufacturer will have. It also brings even greater collaboration between IMSA/WEC teams.

[JoeW04]

Originally Posted by tomcug

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...iecki-departs/
Important and a bit unexpected even changes at Porsche. Never heard before Makowiecki's seat was at risk.

If you remember he was only added quite late to the race programme after doing quite a lot of the initial testing, almost like they’d had a look around etc and not found anyone else so just put him in. He won’t be out of work for long.

Christensen keeping his seat is the big surprise to me.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Back to IMSA for Cameron then? Replacing Derani at AXR perhaps?

Rumor is he'll be driving for AO in ELMS next year. AXR probably no, I saw at S365 they had other names in mind. But who knows.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by tomcug

Rumor is he'll be driving for AO in ELMS next year. AXR probably no, I saw at S365 they had other names in mind. But who knows.

That's quite a big step-down, he arguably has more to offer than Lotterer to a customer hypercar team.

[TF110]

Sad for those guys, but Porsche sees an advantage to only having 2 drivers. Hopefully they end up somewhere else we get to see their talent put to use.

[PhilipR]

A chance for Proton to snatch drivers with (winning) experience with the 963. The transfer of knowledge on setup etc should be valuable.

So far Proton seems to not have gotten the hang of the car so Andre, Dane or Fred could be of great help

[flatlandsman]

I wonder if Lotterer might be tempted by Proton? Andlaeur was always likely to move up but was he that staggering anywhere other than Spa?

[airbusA346]

Is Celia Martin being prepared to replace Bovy in WEC next year...

Michelle Gatting and Celia Martin will drive the #92 Manthey Porsche at the Bahrain rookie test.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I wonder if Lotterer might be tempted by Proton? Andlaeur was always likely to move up but was he that staggering anywhere other than Spa?

Fred mack might be a more likely choice no?

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Matador

Fred mack might be a more likely choice no?

From reading between the lines (and essentialy confirmed on MWM), Makowiecki is done with Porsche completely; he's not an option for Proton.

[TF110]

We know Bamber will be in a Cadillac (or two) in IMSA and possibly WEC as well.

[flatlandsman]

I think it seems the teams have sort of thumbed their nose at the three driver rule suggestion aswell, Porsche going tor two in both cars is a statement I feel, and I expect a few more teams might follow suit.

Andre has options all over the world, he me might take the easy buck in Japan, I would actually love to see him in GT3 or something but heck what a career, he can kick back and relax.

[Adam43]

It’s super competitive out there and the two car approach in the short races is by and large quicker.

The disadvantage is the third driver doesn’t get as much car time for the longer more prestigious races. I guess they feel they can manage this. While not as extreme, it is a little bit like managing the bronze or silver drivers in GT or LMP2. Everyone is used to that and can play the yellows and/or cycle through early.

[J Jay]

The third driver coming from another series means they only have to acclimitise to the track; they'll know the car as well as their full-season teammates. It's ruthless, but for the manufacturers that operate in both series it makes sense.



The Vanthoor brothers chime in on this in their latest podcast. Laurens confirms that Lotterer, Cameron & Makowiecki have all been released from Porsche. He was tellingly diplomatic about Andre leaving: he said he's had the best time in his career with Andre/Kevin in the #6 but that the decision was rightly not up to the drivers.

[KlBD]

Originally Posted by Adam43

It’s super competitive out there and the two car approach in the short races is by and large quicker.

The disadvantage is the third driver doesn’t get as much car time for the longer more prestigious races. I guess they feel they can manage this. While not as extreme, it is a little bit like managing the bronze or silver drivers in GT or LMP2. Everyone is used to that and can play the yellows and/or cycle through early.

Seems the teams going with 2 drivers are prepared to rotate their driver pool between IMSA and WEC, so maybe their thinking is that although it's different series regulations, the third drivers they tabbed for long races will still be getting some seat time in other series.

[Simmi]

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...crew-for-2025/

Phil Hanson moves across to the yellow Ferrari next year. Likely replacing Shwartzman who is Indycar-bound. Interesting one - didn't see that coming.

[PhilipR]

Originally Posted by Simmi

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...crew-for-2025/

Phil Hanson moves across to the yellow Ferrari next year. Likely replacing Shwartzman who is Indycar-bound. Interesting one - didn't see that coming.

What does this say about Jota next year:

Will Stevens seems like a Yes
Norman Nato? - I guess decision is between Formula E and WEC and if can do both
Earl Bamber - seems like a yes (sharing with AXR)
Alex Lyn - seems like a yes
Illot is out
Hanson is out
Button - no announcement yet
Rasmussen - a maybe?

Others:
Derani - has he left just AXR or GM?
Any of the Gt3 drivers?

[airbusA346]

According to an article on DSC, potentially Iron Dames and Ryan Hardwick at Manthey next year in WEC.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...rogrammes.html

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by PhilipR

What does this say about Jota next year:

Will Stevens seems like a Yes
Norman Nato? - I guess decision is between Formula E and WEC and if can do both
Earl Bamber - seems like a yes (sharing with AXR)
Alex Lyn - seems like a yes
Illot is out
Hanson is out
Button - no announcement yet
Rasmussen - a maybe?

Others:
Derani - has he left just AXR or GM?
Any of the Gt3 drivers?

In September:

...


For his part, Nato confirmed he would race on WEC, despite having also signed a deal to rejoin the Nissan Formula E team for the 2024/25 season in recent days.

“The project with Nissan came late, but it has always been a priority to be in the WEC every year, and this is where I see my future,” Nato told Sportscar365.

“I am not planning to stop in WEC next year just because I am doing Formula E. This year I also did both and it has been working well, so I will definitely be on the grid again in WEC.”

Nato wouldn’t be drawn on which championship he would prioritize when the WEC’s Sao Paulo round clashes with Formula E’s Berlin race in July, but it appears likely that the Frenchman would be present in Sao Paulo.

...

Jenson Button appears to be the favorite to land the sixth and final slot at JOTA.

The Formula 1 world champion told Sportscar365 during the Sao Paulo round in July that he hoped to stay on with the team next year, and his high profile is likely to make him attractive to both Cadillac and title partner Hertz.

Button’s teammates in the No. 38 car this year, Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen, both appear to be on their way out at JOTA.

Rasmussen told Sportscar365: “I am still searching [for a seat]. Things are very unclear at the moment, to be honest. It’s a big question mark.”

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...-taking-shape/

[FIRE]

Could this be Rossi’s last ride with WRT?

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...preview-2.html

Is he leaving BMW/WRT or is this just some wild speculation from DSC?

[PhilipR]

Motorsport.com had an article a while back about Rossi deciding between GTWC and WEC as he does not want to do both due to being away from his young family so often. So maybe they were referring to that. I doubt he would like to give up another chance at Le Mans

[flatlandsman]

He has stated he will no longer do both series, I can see him doing GTWC, more low key, he stills gets to drive a fair bit, and do races he likely enjoys and he also gets the chance to still do LM without having to chase all over the world. He is expecting another little girl any minute. And I know his wife has put a little pressure on, he was supposed to be retired after all!!