6 Hours of Monza: Challengers preview

HyperCarWEC

Jul 6

The 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) resumes at the ‘Temple of Speed’ built 101 years ago on 8-9 July for the 6 Hours of Monza.

Cadillac Racing and Porsche Penske Motorsport with their LMDh based on IMSA regulations (prototype based on a choice between four chassis constructors and the three hybrid powertrain suppliers,…) have not yet been able to fight at same level as the Hypercars (Toyota and Ferrari), Peugeot being an exception.

Before heading to Monza, Cadillac is third in the manufacturers’ championship, 56 points behind Toyota Gazoo Racing (38 behind Ferrari) with a lead of 16 points over Porsche.

Cadillac focus shifts to championship

Developing the Cadillac V-Series.R for the 24 Hours of Le Mans was key among Cadillac Racing’s objectives in the first half of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Now, with a celebrated podium finish in the centenary event, vying for the Hypercar championships is the focus.

At Le Mans, the #2 Cadillac V-Series.R continued its consistent run of top-five finishes with its first podium.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. Cadillac V-Series.R #2 ends third.

Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook with the #2 Cadillac V-Series.R are third in the Hypercar World Endurance Drivers Championship.

Alex Lynn: “It’s going to be great racing again in the World Endurance Championship, taking a lot of momentum to Monza from our overall podium at Le Mans. There is no doubt that it was a big occasion for us as a team and for Cadillac and the brand-new car that we’re all enjoying racing. Monza is a great race to get into straight off of Le Mans. Beautiful circuit, beautiful surroundings. Exciting to get going with the guys again and win this race.”

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. Cadillac #2 in Arnage ahead of ferrari #50.

Richard Westbrook: “I’m really looking forward to Monza coming off such a positive result for everyone at Cadillac Racing. To get an overall podium for the first time at Le Mans after being away for a long time is something that we can all be proud of. We learned so much, which we’re going to carry on forward to Monza and the rest of the season. Now, Le Mans is gone and we can focus forward. We knew where we are really strong and know where there’s a little bit where we can improve. Looking at the nature of the circuit I think it’s going to be good for us. It’s a track that I enjoy racing on. I’ve competed in Hypercar there before and many times in GT, and I think it will really suit our Cadillac. It’s a track where you can really stretch your legs and it’s important that you’re really good on the tires. Degradation can be quite high and that’s been a plus of our car so far. Looking forward to continuing the momentum.”

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. #2 Cadillac V-Series.R.

Earl Bamber: “I’m really enthused by the result at Le Mans and the progress we’ve made in just our first year in the WEC. It shows all the hard work that the team, Cadillac and its partners have put in, and there’s more positives to come. Monza is a great track overall and the race in the Hypercar class will be intense for the drivers and entertaining for the spectators. We’ll have to navigate the slower traffic in the tight corners, but there a long straights that will provide overtaking opportunities. I’m looking forward to returning to Monza and getting back in the seat of the No. 2 Cadillac.” Source: Cadillac Racing

Porsche Penske Motorsport aims a podium result

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. Disappointing results for both Porsche 963 #5 and #6.

Porsche Penske Motorsport has set its sights on achieving another podium result for the Porsche 963 in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC at the six-hour race in Monza. After disappointing results at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the factory squad now aims to make amends this coming weekend.

The works team will again field two hybrid prototypes in the six-hour race in Italy. As usual, the No. 5 cockpit will be shared by Michael Christensen from Denmark, the Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki and the American Dane Cameron.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. #5 Porsche 963.

Michael Christensen (Porsche 963 #5): “I can’t wait to drive the Porsche 963 in the high-speed temple of Monza. After Le Mans, we’re totally focused on achieving a decent result. Hopefully, we can drive a clean race and turn our laps without any incidents. If we can do that, we have a chance at a podium finish. That’s our big goal. In terms of performance, we’re still lacking compared to some of our rivals, but recently we’ve been taking steps in the right direction. We want to continue this trend.” Source: Porsche.

The No. 6 sister car also competes with the regular works-driver crew Kévin Estre (France), Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) and André Lotterer (Germany).

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. #6 Porsche 963.

Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 #6): “Monza is a cool track, and the masses of Italian fans always make this event great fun. I also really like the atmosphere there. After our less-than-ideal performance at Le Mans, we want to make amends. We’re hoping to do this at Monza. The high-speed circuit is known for its exciting slipstream duels – that’ll be spectacular. Success here would be enormously important for everyone at Porsche Penske Motorsport.” Source: Porsche.

Hertz Team Jota #38 Porsche 963 will be shared between Will Stevens, works driver António Félix da Costa and Yifei Ye, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s selected driver.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans. Hertz Team Jota #38 Porsche 963

Will Stevens (Porsche 963 #38): “I’m looking forward to the Monza race – especially because we demonstrated a lot of potential at Le Mans but didn’t achieve the result that we felt was within reach. We learned a lot about our Porsche 963 during the many kilometres of racing there. Now we want to put it to good use in Italy and hopefully convert it into a strong result.” Source: Porsche.

Like at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four Porsche 963 racing cars will tackle the Monza race: In addition to the two factory cars and Hertz Team Jota’s entry, the German customer team Proton Competition will also campaign one of the 500 kW (680 PS) hybrid prototypes for the first time. The No. 99 car will be driven by Porsche works driver Gianmaria Bruni from Italy, Englishman Harry Tincknell and Neel Jani. In 2016, the Swiss racer won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid and was crowned FIA World Endurance champion that same year.

📷 © Courtesy of Porsche. #99 Proton Competition Porsche 963.

Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 963 #99): “At last, I’m back in the FIA WEC! I’m thrilled to be competing with Proton Competition in the Porsche 963 in the top Hypercar class. It’s going to be very interesting because it’ll be our maiden outing in the new hybrid prototype. We weren’t able to test drive the car beforehand, and we’re now going straight into the competition. That’s why we mustn’t set our expectations too high: our competitors are mostly factory-run squads with many months and countless kilometres of experience. We want to catch up quickly, but we face a steep learning curve. For me as an Italian, it’s of course something very special that we’re celebrating our debut with the Porsche 963 in Italy of all places!” Source: Porsche.