Jack Hawksworth is about to make his debut in the LMGT3 category at the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans for the Akkodis ASP team, following the announcement that Jose Maria Lopez will replace the injured Mike Conway at Toyota.
The current champion of the GTD Pro class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has competed with the Lexus RC F for the past seven seasons, being a partner of the Vasser Sullivan team since 2019.
With the FIA World Endurance Championship adopting the GT3 formula for the LMGT3 category this year, Lexus will make its debut at Le Mans.
After achieving a podium in the recent sprint race in Detroit alongside teammate Ben Barnicoat, the 33-year-old driver will make his first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, bringing valuable experience from all 10 previous editions of the 24 Hours of Daytona.
The news came from the announcement that the current World Endurance Championship Hypercar champion, Mike Conway, will not participate in Le Mans due to an injury, resulting in Jose Maria Lopez returning to the Toyota GR010 Hybrid #7.
As Lopez was originally scheduled to drive in his full-time spot in the WEC at Akkodis ASP, Hawksworth will take his place, joining Takeshi Kimura and Esteban Masson in the Lexus #87.
A statement from Toyota stated: «Toyota GAZOO Racing shares Mike’s deep disappointment with this situation and will continue to provide him with close support as he works towards a full recovery.
«All team members are looking forward to seeing Mike, who has been part of the team family since 2014, back in the cockpit as soon as possible.
«Mike’s close friend and former teammate, Jose Maria Lopez, who raced for Toyota GAZOO Racing from 2017 to 2023, will return to the cockpit of the GR010 HYBRID #7, starting with Sunday’s official test.
«Toyota GAZOO Racing expresa su sincero agradecimiento a Akkodis ASP por permitir que sea liberado de sus compromisos en LMGT3.
«Mike comenzará inmediatamente un programa intensivo de rehabilitación bajo la supervisión del equipo médico de Toyota Gazoo Racing, con el objetivo de regresar a la acción del Campeonato Mundial de Resistencia de la FIA tan pronto como sea capaz.»
Las actividades en pista comenzarán el domingo 9 de junio, con dos sesiones de tres horas en el Día de Pruebas, seguidas por una combinación de entrenamientos libres y clasificatorios que llevarán a la carrera principal los días 15 y 16 de junio. Hawksworth competirá contra otros 22 competidores de la categoría LMGT3 en Le Mans inaugural.
