Getting the call while racing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Jack Hawksworth arrived for his first 24 Hours of Le Mans rushed, jet-lagged and without his choice of driving gear. Summoned at the last minute for last year’s event, the 34-year-old Briton substituted at AKKODIS ASP for José María López, who himself was called up to race the Toyota GR010 Hypercar for Mike Conway following a cycling accident.
It was a cycling mishap that once again led Hawksworth to Le Mans as a substitute this year, but this time it’s for Ben Barnicoat, injured in a mountain biking accident back in March. This time, however, he had a little more notice that he’d be joining Finn Gehrsitz and Arnold Robin in the #78 Lexus RC F GT3. He arrived at Circuit de la Sarthe not only much more prepared himself, but also to find a team that was also more battle-ready than a year ago.
The 2024 edition of the 24 was the first Le Mans for Hawksworth, the team and Lexus, which joined the World Endurance Championship with the advent of the LMGT3 category. Last season was one for learning. However, heading into the fourth round of the 2025 season, AKKODIS ASP is looking like a contender. The #78 is third in the championship points, and the team appears to be knocking on the door for a victory. It’s a big improvement all around.
“Turning up at the track on Friday and seeing how much more organised the team is this year,” Hawksworth says of the difference. “There’s just a calmness in the garage, which last year you could tell it was the first year for the team at Le Mans, first year for the team in WEC, they were learning everything. This year you can see it’s so much more a refined operation. And it’s already given me a bunch of confidence.”
Further bolstering Hawksworth’s spirit is his own level of preparation. Getting the call back in May rather than arriving at the track hours before testing began meant he was able to do his homework – study the track, watch video, do the simulator work.
“I feel fresh. I’m in every way a better position than I was last year. It was a lot. But it was a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t have changed the experience. But this year is completely different,” he says.
Hawksworth credits Robin, whom he describes as one of the top Bronzes in the series, and Gehrsitz with getting him familiar with the difference in WEC rules vs. the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in which he won the 2023 GTD PRO title with Barnicoat for Vasser Sullivan Racing.
“They’ve made me feel really welcome, and so far, it’s been a good vibe.”
Details such as slow zones and the multiple safety cars used at Le Mans vs, the full-course caution procedures in IMSA are not difficult to trip over, and the different rules for pit stops take some getting used to.
On the other hand, he doesn’t need a lot of acclimation to the Lexus RC F GT3, which he’s been racing for years in IMSA. Getting familiar with the Goodyear tires at Le Mans vs. the Michelins in IMSA is the biggest adjustment.
“There are some small aero differences between the car that runs in IMSA and the car that runs in WEC; they had to change some things aerodynamically to make the car fit the WEC window a couple of years ago. So some small aero differences, and then really, then it’s just the setup of the car. The brake material that the team is choosing to run is different, so bit of braking feel, but I’d say the biggest thing is the tire and the philosophy and approach of the team.”
Those are things that are easy to adjust to, especially with enough time to study. And having experienced the race last year, he finished 10th in the #87 with Takeshi Kimura and Esteban Masson, makes it that much more manageable. All that makes Hawksworth much happier about the situation in which he now finds himself.
“Last year, I came in with no expectations,” he says. “This year, I come in with a ton of confidence.”
