The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be eligible to compete in the WEC for the first time in 2024 following the series’ decision to axe its GTE formula in favour of SRO’s more affordable GT3 alternative.
However, the WEC will prioritise manufacturers that are already present in the championship’s Hypercar class while accepting entries, meaning the likes of Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini and Chevrolet (thanks to Cadillac) will get preferential treatment over Mercedes in case there isn’t enough space to accommodate all makes on the grid.
Mercedes will also be relying on customer teams to front its effort, with a maximum of two entries allowed per manufacturer under the plan laid out by WEC promoter the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
While the details of the LMGT3 class are yet to be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, Mercedes is already confident that it will be present in the WEC next year, buoyed by the interest it has already received from its customer teams.
“We have interested teams of course because there are many customers who would like to join and who would like to do Le Mans in the future,” said Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG’s customer racing division.
“But from our side we are in close contact with the organisers and we will see what the future will bring.
“At the moment, it's still a bit early to have any results yet but we are very optimistic that we will see one or other AMGs on the grid.”
Source: Autosport