The 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of the past and WEC returns to action at Monza. The Italian appointment, fourth of the season, draws a turning point in the World Endurance Championship thanks to the debut of the Peugeot 9X8. The queen category of the championship grows to six registered with an interesting duel between the antagonistic LMH prototype concepts from Toyota, Peugeot and Glickenhausduel to which Alpine’s LMP1 joins. The battle between the LMP2 and the GTE seems as tight as ever.
The debut of the Peugeot Sport LMHs shape a new scenario in the WEC. After a long wait, Toyota Gazoo Racing is not the only structure of a major manufacturer that is present in the premier class with a hypercar prototype. It will be difficult for Peugeot to fight Toyota first, but the 9X8 draw another unknown in the equation, especially if it is highlighted that Alpine and Glickenhaus have barely threatened Toyota. With everything, the irregularity of the Japanese firm keeps the Alpine pilots leaders.
No news in the lineup of the Toyota GR010 Hybrid, of the Glickenhaus #708 with the presence of Olivier Pla, Romain Dumas and Pipo Derani and neither of the Alpine, it is worth mentioning the list of drivers who compete in the two Peugeot 9X8 in their debut in the WEC. The #93 crew is made up of Paul Di Resta, Jean-Eric Vergne and Mikkel Jensen, while the #94 will feature Loïc Duval, Gustavo Menezes and James Rossiter.. A lot of talent in a project that has in Monza the objective of knowing where they are compared to their rivals.
Leaving aside the queen class, the fight in LMP2 promises great emotions. The JOTA #38 ORECA drivers are the new rivals to beat after winning victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. António Félix Da Costa, Roberto González and Will Stevens will, yes, have enormous competition. The Prema team with Robert Kubica at the helm competes at home, as does AF Corse. Nevertheless, JOTA’s great rivals should be United Autosports LMP2 and Team WRT.
In LMGTE-Pro the duel between Ferrari, Porsche and Corvette remains unchangedalthough it is true that the Italian firm’s GTE has received higher turbo pressure at all rev ranges in the ‘BoP’, which should allow the AF Corse cars to be much more competitive at their home event. Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz, drivers of the Porsche #91, arrive as leaders of the Pro category. For its part, Ben Keating and Marco Sorensen defend their lead in LMGTE-Am at the wheel of the #33 Aston Martin after winning at Le Mans.
Schedule of the 6 Hours of Monza of the WEC 2022
Photos: FIA WEC