Le Mans 24 Hours Test Day Driver Updates
As the Le Mans 24 Hours approaches, several teams have announced additional driver entries for the upcoming Test Day set for Sunday. This strategy aims to mitigate potential issues should any of the primary drivers face difficulties, and to allow Reserve Drivers the chance to gain track experience.
Hypercar Entry Updates
- Porsche Penske Motorsport has named Reserve Driver Nico Muller for all three factory 963 cars (#4, #5, and #6), enabling him to participate across the fleet.
- Toyota Gazoo Racing will field Reserve Driver Jose Maria Lopez in both GR010 entries. Additionally, Sebastien Buemi joins the #7 car and Mike Conway will drive for the #8 alongside its established trio.
- BMW has added Philipp Eng as a fourth driver for both factory cars.
- Peugeot lists Theo Pourchaire in both entries, along with his commitments in the LMP2 #25 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca.
- Cadillac has made extensive additions, naming five drivers across their two entries. Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais will drive for the #12 car, while Alex Lynn and Will Stevens are added to the #38 lineup.
Notable Driver Movements
- Swiss driver Louis Deletraz joins the #101 Cadillac WTR team and is also included in the AO by TF Oreca for LMP2 Pro-Am.
- Earl Bamber is slated to drive for three different Cadillacs, including the #311 Whelen Action Express entry.
Currently, there is no confirmation regarding potential substitutions for Aston Martin F1 drivers Felipe Drugovich or Stoffel Vandoorne, both listed as reserve drivers, amid speculation about Lance Stroll’s participation at the Canadian Grand Prix.
LMP2 Updates
In the LMP2 category, Algarve Pro Racing has named Sophia Floersch as a fourth driver for their #25 Oreca, while Inter Europol is set to include 2024 class winner Bijoy Garg in the #43 crew for Test Day.
Conclusion
The strategic additions of drivers not only prepare teams for unforeseen circumstances but also enhance the competitive landscape ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With Test Day just around the corner, teams are optimizing their lineups to ensure the best performance possible.
For further details, refer to the complete Test Day entry list.
