LAMBORGHINI TO JOIN HYPERCAR CLASS FROM 2024

Lamborghini Squadra Corse will enter the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class in 2024 with its first LMDh prototype, eligible for both FIA WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (GTP class). 

Lamborghini has been competing at the pinnacle of GT racing since 2015, celebrating more than 40 titles and some unique achievements: the triple GTD class win at the legendary 24 Hours at Daytona between 2018 and 2020 was the first time a manufacturer won three times in a row. 

Now, the company’s commitment to the LMDh class is the step into the top level of sports car racing, allowing Lamborghini to compete for overall victories at the world’s most prestigious endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

“This step up into the highest echelon of sports car racing marks an important milestone for our company,” stated Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann. 

“We will be measuring ourselves against the very best, on the most demanding proving grounds. On one hand, this will give our successful motorsports program even more visibility, but it will also allow us to test future technologies: our LMDh prototypes will become our most sophisticated open laboratory on four wheels.”

The move to the Hypercar class means that Lamborghini’s top level racing programme will be aligned with Lamborghini’s transition to hybrid technologies for the road as by the end of 2024, the entire Lamborghini range will be hybridized. 

The Lamborghini LMDh programme will run in addition to Squadra Corse’s GT platform, consisting of Super Trofeo and GT3, which remains the core of its customer motorsport operation.

“I am absolutely delighted that Lamborghini will be taking the next step in our motorsport journey, the step into LMDh and the top level of sports car racing,” said Lamborghini Head of Motorsport Giorgio Sanna. 
 
“LMDh will play a special role in Lamborghini’s Motorsports strategy, giving us the unique opportunity to expand our customer racing activities to new platforms and enforce our long-term partnership with2customer teams and drivers.”

The prospect of a Lamborghini Hypercar racing at Le Mans is an incredible scenario, coming at a time of exceptional global manufacturer interest in the category.  

“To be joined by such a prestigious make as Lamborghini is fantastic for endurance racing,” said President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Pierre Fillon.

“Hypercar, the discipline's new top tier, has attracted carmakers from across the globe. We are soon to celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and another golden age of endurance is just beginning. I for one am ready to enjoy it to the fullest.”

For FIA WEC, Lamborghini is the latest brand to announce its intention to race in Hypercar and joins an impressive roster of incoming manufacturers. 

“We are honoured that Lamborghini will join the Hypercar class of FIA WEC from 2024,” said FIA WEC CEO, Frédéric Lequien.

”Lamborghini is an iconic brand but it has never competed in the premier class of endurance racing before. 

“They will join the FIA WEC at a very exciting time in its history. For the 2024 season there will be an exceptional line-up of marques competing in our premier class. The competition will be fierce but we have no doubt that Lamborghini will be in the thick of the fight. 

“Lamborghini has been highly successful in other classes of endurance racing so we cannot wait to see them compete for overall victories at our iconic events.”

The nature of the Hypercar class rules means Lamborghini will race in FIA WEC as well as the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship GTP class.

“IMSA has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Lamborghini dating back to the introduction of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America a decade ago and continuing into a successful GTD program," IMSA President John Doonan.

"We are proud that Lamborghini is confirming plans to grow its IMSA footprint even further in 2024 into GTP and the top category of prototype sports car racing. Having another manufacturer of this caliber make the commitment to race in GTP reinforces the LMDh technical platform that we developed alongside our partners at the ACO, and we cannot wait to see these new Lamborghini prototypes debut in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”

Racing fans should expect to see the Lamborghini LMDh in action across the globe from 2024.

“Having yet another renowned sportscar manufacturer joining the Hypercar ranks is great news and something everyone involved has been working towards,” said FIA Endurance Commission President, Richard Mille. 

“Owing to the convergence, the cars will compete on both sides of the Atlantic and thus the sport of endurance racing will thrive globally. I can’t wait to see Lamborghini’s challenger going against some other iconic brands active in the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”