A typically robust statement from the currently parked Vanwall Hypercar effort suggests that the outfit are targeting an entry into the 2026/ 2027 Asian Le Mans Series in the forthcoming Pro-Am Hypercar class.
Beyond that team Principal Colin Kolles states that the team are interested in a return to WEC Competition: “We have had very constructive discussions with the WEC and ACO regarding rejoining the WEC in 2027 but as always participation is dependent on the team being invited to compete. Our support for the new 2026 ALMS Hypercar category is a clear statement of our intent and commitment to the future.”
The 2027 WEC entry list though would be decided before the 2026/ 2027 Asian Le Mans Series is likely to start.
The team’s press release also states that a “comprehensive test and endurance proving program” is part of a “ramping up” of preparation for a return to competition.
If that emerges it will likely be the first track time seen by the Vanwall 680 Hypercar (which seems to have now dropped the ‘Vandervell’ part of its moniker of which there is no mention in the team’s release), since the cessation of an unsuccessful WEC programme at the end of 2023.
“The careful performance analysis from our initial WEC campaign clearly identified important areas to improve,” said Kolles, “I am confident the actions taken following the technical review and the latest modifications incorporated will bring significant on-track improvement”.
The team previously stated publicly that the car has been re-engineered around a Pipo Moteurs-built turbo V8, the same unit that powered the Glickenhaus SCG 007 Hypercar though there is no evidence that the car has turned a wheel at this point with the Pipo fitted.
The team’s press release includes technical data under a descriptor as “WEC Homologated” that includes (apparently) the Pipo V8. DSC believes this to be an error and that the car has not yet been re-homologated in its revised mechanical and aerodynamic form.
Vanwall describe the powertrain architecture as having been “extensively revised with great attention focused on air intake environment and airflow volume, optimized radiator and intercooler performance, and exhaust gas flow efficiency to complement the increased engine performance.”
This follows significant issues with the car in its 2023 iteration including cooling and a down on power Gibson V8.
In what is believed to be another error in the Vanwall release the team state that the 2026/ 2027 Asian Le Mans Series “includes events at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the Dubai Autodrome and the YAS Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi”.
No calendar for the 2026/ 2027 Series has yet been released.
