Laurens Vanthoor Excludes 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2023 Schedule
In a significant shift within the motorsports landscape, Laurens Vanthoor confirmed that he will not participate in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking his first absence from the prestigious race since 2017. This decision follows Porsche Penske Motorsport’s withdrawal from the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), considerably altering Vanthoor’s competitive landscape.
Reflecting on his situation during a media conference ahead of the StubHub Monterey SportsCar Championship, Vanthoor expressed disappointment. “It sucks a bit… I would have loved to have been there,” he stated, highlighting his close ties to the race, which he considers pivotal in his career.
Vanthoor’s IMSA teammates, Kévin Estre and Julien Andlauer, will compete in LMP2, with Andlauer driving for Duqueine Team and Estre for TDS Racing. However, Vanthoor opted against a one-off LMP2 entry, stating, “I didn’t see the added value for myself.” He emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration with a team rather than participating in a single event.
Historically, Vanthoor nearly secured victory in all three Triple Crown of Endurance Racing events in 2022, finishing second at Le Mans. His ambitions for an overall win at the event remain high, but he reiterated his commitment to Porsche, expressing a desire to continue with the brand, stating, “I’ve been dreaming to be part of this project with Porsche and Penske since the beginning.”
As new manufacturers such as Genesis and Ford enter the FIA WEC, uncertainty remains regarding the future of current Porsche factory drivers. Nevertheless, Vanthoor appears focused, saying, “I will be at Porsche for longer.” Future plans may shift, but for now, he reflects on a potential Le Mans absence with resilience.
For Vanthoor, the 2023 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will serve as a reminder of unfulfilled ambitions, as he transitions from driver to spectator, prepared for the next phase of his enduring career with Porsche.
