Albuquerque has raced at Le Mans every year since his debut in 2014 with the Audi LMP1 team, with 2023 marking his 10th consecutive appearance in the French endurance classic.
However, the Portuguese driver faces some uncertainty regarding his plans for 2024, with the World Endurance Championship phasing out the LMP2 class from regular rounds and capping the number of entries at Le Mans to 15.
United Autosports, the team which Albuquerque has raced in WEC since 2019/20, is moving to IMSA’s LMP2 ranks next year and will require approval of the WEC Selection Committee in order to gain an entry for the 92nd running of the fabled sportscar event at Circuit de la Sarthe.
But despite only a limited number of seats available in the LMP2 class next year, Albuquerque hopes his experience will help him remain on the grid at Le Mans and attempt a second class win after his 2020 success with Paul di Resta and Phil Hanson.
“I want to do Le Mans every year in my career,” Albuquerque told Motorsport.com/Autosport. “I've been successful doing so for the last 10 years, I want to continue doing it again next year.
“Obviously I know that the number of cars are way more limited. Normally you will secure your entry to Le Mans by doing WEC, now you need to be subjected to approval by Le Mans.
“I have a great connection with United, we are trying to work something out. Obviously, I don't think they will have the cars they used to put [previously], two cars.
“Obviously, Le Mans needs to respect the other competitions as well to have one chance, to put a car.
“There are still many drivers that want to do it, I hope my experience is good enough to secure me a seat because that's exactly my goal for next year as well.”
Asked if any potential return to Le Mans will be with United, the team with which he will be contesting the European Le Mans Series next year, the 38-year-old said: “I would like to do, I want to do Le Mans for next year, I don't know with whom I'm doing but I'm completely open to do it.
He added: “I mean for sure I'm looking at United but we are trying to see what happens. Again, number 1 priority is to do Le Mans and then we will see what happens after.”