Mercedes hopes to join the WEC GT3 class in 2024

Mercedes hopes to compete there when the LMGT3 class goes live in the World Endurance Championship in 2024.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars will be able to compete in the WEC after the WEC decided to scrap the GTE formula in 2024 and introduce more economically sustainable GT3 cars.

Despite this, the WEC will give priority to the participation of manufacturers competing in the Hypercar class in the series. This means that Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini and Chevrolet will have priority for the GT3 class. However, if there is not enough participation from these manufacturers, then outside manufacturers such as Mercedes will be allowed to participate.

Mercedes can rely on customer teams in this situation, as a maximum of 2 cars per manufacturer will be allowed to participate.

Details about the LMGT3 class are not yet official. Mercedes have already announced that they are encouraged by the participation of several customer teams and are confident they will be in the WEC next year.

Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG customer teams, said: “Of course we have teams that are interested because there are many customers who want to join us and participate in Le Mans in the future.”

“For now, however, we are in close contact with the organizers and will see what the future brings.”

“It is too early to draw conclusions at the moment, but we are very hopeful that we will see one or more AMGs on the grid.” say.

Mercedes offers support to customer teams in different series according to their budgets. Those with bigger budgets usually compete in the DTM and the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

For the potential WEC plan, Wendl said, “First, we go where the customers want to go, and then we see how much support we can provide.”

“So, first of all, driver support and engineering support, as we do with many programs, maybe spare parts support as we are known around the world for good support systems. That’s our approach.”

“At the moment we are considering all the options and then we have a clear picture. Then we decide we want to go but the plan is to have cars in this championship.” say.

Mercedes last participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its CLR prototype car in 1999, but withdrew from the race for safety reasons after crashes in practice and qualifying.

Finally, in December, ASP, one of the leading teams of the GT World Challenge series, announced that it would like to participate in the 2024 Le Mans 2024 Hours with its Mercedes AMG-GT3 car.