Cadillac Racing is set to continue racing in the FIA WEC’s Hypercar class in 2024, DSC has learned.
Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM’s sports car racing manager, told DSC that the US brand plans to continue competing with the V-Series.R on the world stage for a second season, in parallel with its forthcoming customer LMGT3 effort with the Z06 GT3.R.
“We (Cadillac) intend to be in the FIA WEC next year,” she told DSC. “How many cars and all that stuff hasn’t been announced, but the intent is to continue.”
This significant extension to its WEC commitments is a key part of GM’s motorsport expansion in Europe.
In addition to Cadillac Racing’s new home in Stuttgart, Germany, GM is also planning to set up a permanent base in Europe as it expands its customer GT3 operation. The location and scale of this new base have yet to be decided.
“We’re still exploring what we want to do in Europe,” she added. “For the WEC we are going to have a specifically 2024-only support that we are working with our (LMGT3) team on. In Europe, we want to do a proper job, we want to make sure we have a set-up that will likely include some type of headquarters that we can run parts in and out of.”
Cadillac’s extended commitment to the FIA WEC for 2024 has two major benefits.
It allows GM to have a second shot at an overall Le Mans victory, after tasting major success with its podium finish in this year’s 24 Hours. It will also help ensure that Corvette is awarded space for two cars in the new WEC LMGT3 class, which is a priority for the new-look Corvette Racing going forward as it moves from operating as a factory team to managing a global customer programme.
“The ACO knows our interest to bring a two-car effort to WEC to make sure Corvette is represented,” Wontrop Klauser continued. “Having the Cadillac here (in the FIA WEC) is helpful for that.
“They (the WEC selection committee) are considering history and heritage. Corvette has been coming to Le Mans for 20-plus years, and we’ve been coming to WEC for full seasons now. We know there are no guarantees so we want to ensure the risk is low.”
The customer team for Corvette Racing’s FIA WEC programme has not yet been named, though it is understood by DSC to be a significant player in the current GT racing marketplace.
“You can expect official announcements to come in the next couple of months,” Christie Bagne, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R program manager explained to DSC. “We’re looking forward to doing that when it is the right time for everyone.”
Beyond the Cadillac Hypercar programme in the FIA WEC and the two-car customer effort in LMGT3, Wontrop Klauser told DSC that Corvette is unlikely to file for additional GT3 entries for Le Mans to continue Corvette Racing’s factory racing tradition at La Sarthe.
“I don’t think we will have the additional entries (at Le Mans), I think we will be grateful to have two cars in the FIA WEC for the full season,” she said. “They are pushing traditional factory support into Hypercar and that’s where they want to see that type of backing.
“I foresee just the two cars at Le Mans that we have for the full season.”
