Stefan Wendl, head of buyer racing at Mercedes-AMG, admitted that the German producer’s makes an attempt to safe entries for what is anticipated to be an oversubscribed class “thus far look not so promising”.
However he burdened that that work continues to be on-going to put the groundwork for a two-car entry of Mercedes-AMG GT3s run by one in all its buyer groups.
“We try to we put together; we’re making ready with a couple of crew that might have the monetary background to finance such a venture,” stated Wendl, who didn’t title the groups.
“I’m nonetheless in hope mode; we wouldn’t have affirmation that we’ll not take part.”
When it was urged that there is probably not room for Mercedes on the WEC grid subsequent 12 months, he stated: “That is my assumption the way it seems to be, however you by no means know.
“It’ll rely on the variety of Le Mans Hypercar and LMDh entries [in the Hypercar class] – we will’t do greater than await a closing reply.”
Mercedes seems to be a good distance down the listing of producers seeking to be a part of LMGT3.
WEC organisers the FIA and the Car Membership de l’Ouest have acknowledged that precedence shall be given to these producers racing in Hypercar.
Photograph by: Alessio Morgese
Manufacturers which are represented within the Hypercar class are anticipated to be given precedence for the category that replaces GTE Am
Meaning Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Lamborghini, in addition to Cadillac and Toyota’s respective sister manufacturers Chevrolet and Lexus, ought to all be assured entries.
Aston Martin as a producer that has supported the GTE divisions for the reason that relaunch of the WEC in 2012 appeared a certainty to proceed within the new class even earlier than the announcement of its Hypercar entry with the Valkyrie LMH earlier this month.
Ford and McLaren have already introduced their intent to race in LMGT3 with the Proton Competitors and United Autosports groups respectively, which suggests they’ve been given assurances by the ACO and the FIA that their entries shall be accepted.
These producers would mix to kind an 18-car grid of LMGT3s, which seems to be the quantity the organisers need for subsequent 12 months.
Entries for the 2024 WEC shut on 20 November.
The most recent feedback from Wendl on Tuesday observe those made in May when he said he was “very optimistic” of the probabilities of Mercedes collaborating within the new class that replaces GTE Am for subsequent 12 months.
They had been made simply hours after long-time Mercedes GT3 crew Auto Sport Promotion, winner of a number of GT World Problem Europe titles and the Spa 24 Hours, announced its plans to race in the WEC with the Lexus RC F GT3 next year topic to its entries being accepted.
Wendl revealed that there had been talks with ASP run by former sportscar driver Jerome Policand concerning the crew staying with Merc for a WEC marketing campaign.
Photograph by: AG Photograph
ASP crew that gained GTWCE Endurance title will swap to Lexus for WEC assault
He urged that it was not potential to make it work financially and that Lexus was capable of supply extra backing.
Mercedes and ASP created “some worthwhile recollections” collectively after the French crew’s swap from Ferrari in 2016, in response to Wendl.
“We perceive that he tries to fulfil his dream to take part at Le Mans,” he stated. “This was the one means [for him] to return near that.”
However Wendl insisted that the connection between Mercedes and ASP is “not a closed e book”.
He urged that it’s prone to proceed in each the pro-am ranks in GT3 in addition to the GT2 European Championship by which the crew additionally runs Mercs.