The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will likely be eligible to compete within the WEC for the primary time in 2024 following the collection’ resolution to axe its GTE system in favour of SRO’s extra reasonably priced GT3 various.
Nonetheless, the WEC organisation will prioritise producers which might be already current within the championship’s Hypercar class when accepting entries, that means the likes of Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini and Chevrolet – due to Cadillac – will get preferential therapy over Mercedes in case there is not sufficient area to accommodate all makes on the grid.
Mercedes may also be counting on buyer groups to entrance its effort, with a most of two entries allowed per producer below the plan laid out by WEC promoter the Vehicle Membership de l’Ouest.
Whereas the small print of the LMGT3 class are but to be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, Mercedes is already assured that it will likely be current within the WEC subsequent 12 months, buoyed by the curiosity it has already obtained from its buyer groups.
“Now we have groups in fact as a result of there are various clients who wish to be part of and who wish to do Le Mans sooner or later,” mentioned Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG’s buyer racing division.
“However from our aspect, we’re in shut contact with the organisers and we’ll see what the long run will deliver.
“In the mean time, it is nonetheless a bit early to have any outcomes but however we’re very optimistic that we are going to see one or different AMGs on the grid.”
Bernd Schneider/Mark Webber/Klaus Ludwig AMG Mercedes CLK LM
Picture by: Rainer W. Schlegelmilch / Motorsport Images
Mercedes offers various levels of producer assist to buyer groups relying upon the championship or the race they’re competing in, with greater budgets devoted to the DTM and main enduros such because the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
Requested simply how concerned Mercedes will likely be as a producer in a possible WEC programme, Wendl mentioned: “Initially we go the best way the shoppers need to go after which we have a look at how a lot assist is feasible.
“So to begin with, drivers assist and engineering assist, as we do in a number of programmes, perhaps spare components assist as effectively as a result of we’re recognized for superb assist programs worldwide. In order that’s our method.
“In the mean time we’re discussing all choices after which we now have a transparent image. Then we determine the place we need to go however the plan is unquestionably to have vehicles in these championships.”
Mercedes final entered the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1999 with the CLR prototype, nevertheless it was pressured to drag out of the occasion on security grounds following a collection of crashes in qualifying and apply.
Back in December, main GT World Problem entrant ASP acknowledged that it’s actively working to race at Le Mans in 2024 with a Mercedes AMG-GT3.
