Awards ceremony brings down the curtain on captivating 2024 campaign

Less than 24 hours after Porsche Penske Motorsport trio André Lotterer, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor clinched the Drivers’ world championship crown and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing pulled off an epic comeback to snatch Manufacturers’ honours, the WEC family reconvened in an altogether more relaxed setting, in the grounds of the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa.

In addition to celebrating the success of Porsche and Toyota – as well as Hertz Team JOTA, winner of the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams, and LMGT3 champions Manthey Purerxcing with its triumphant trio of Klaus Bachler, Aliaksandr Malykhin and Joel Sturm – the evening spotlighted a number of special achievements.

Proton Competition ace Julian Andlauer – who will be promoted to the Porsche Penske Motorsport works line-up in 2025 – was presented with the Revelation of the Year accolade for his standout drives this season.

In his maiden campaign in the headlining Hypercar division, the 25-year-old Frenchman made a particular impression in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps – where he posted fastest lap and pulled off a number of spirited overtaking manoeuvres – and the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, where he ran second for a long time during the opening stint.

In winning the final race of the year, Vista AF Corse’s Alessio Rovera leapfrogged no fewer than five of his rivals to sensationally secure the 2024 Goodyear Wingfoot Award. Based upon average lap times, this trophy rewards the driver who demonstrates the most consistently high level of performance in the LMGT3 category over the course of the campaign.

Alpine Endurance Team picked up the DHL Sustainable Endurance Award for its carbon impact efforts and commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while Heart of Racing Team’s Ian James was recognised as Sports Racer of the Year, following a strong season in which the American LMGT3 outfit popularly won on home soil at Texas’ Circuit of The Americas.

Special WEC Family Awards were given to outgoing GM Sports Car Racing Program Manager Laura Wontrop Klauser for her work with the company’s Cadillac and Corvette brands in WEC, and to double FIA World Endurance Champion Nicolas Lapierre, who called time on his driving career after finishing on the podium for Alpine in the penultimate round of 2024 at Fuji. The Frenchman has transitioned into the role of Sporting Director for the French team.

Arguably the biggest round of applause, however, was reserved for a legendary figure who has achieved more than most could ever imagine, yet for whom Porsche Penske Motorsport’s WEC Drivers’ crown represented a first world championship title – Roger Penske. The 87-year-old received a standing ovation as he walked onto the stage to collect the Personality of the Year award.

“Our success really comes from the people, the team and the fighters – everyone involved in it,” reflected the man affectionately known as ‘The Captain’. “I’m thrilled to be here. We love racing in this series – it’s something I dreamed about for a number of years. Thank you very much.”