05 CAMPBELL Matt (aus), CHRISTENSEN Michael (dnk), MAKOWIECKI Frédéric (fra), Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche 963 #05, Hypercar, FIA WEC, atmosphere during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024, fourth stage of the FIA World Endurance Championship of 2024, at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, on June 11, 2024 in Le Mans, France – Photo Julien Delfosse / DPPI
Brendon Hartley of Toyota exclusively revealed that he sees Porsche as the main threat for this weekend’s iconic race, which is in its 92nd edition. Porsche’s hybrid machine 963 has won two out of three races in this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship, making it a strong competitor. Furthermore, Porsche impressed with a one-two finish during the Le Mans test session. However, Hartley believes that Toyota is among the rival manufacturers that can challenge Porsche in an exciting 24-hour spectacle.
Hartley expressed his thoughts on the upcoming race, stating: “It was a smooth test, we didn’t encounter any issues with the car. It’s difficult to determine the performance at this stage, as we were behind the Porsches. We don’t have information about their fuel and tire quantities, but it seems like we can be in the fight with them. They have been the strongest team throughout the year, but it looks like we have a chance.”
Hartley also mentioned that Ferrari and Cadillac are competitors in the race, with Cadillac even having the fastest car on the track in 2023 before facing issues. He predicts a fierce battle at the front, stating: “There’s a great chance we’ll witness a fight between multiple cars in the final hours, which would be amazing.”
Although Porsche seems to have a strong package based on the test day, where Hartley achieved the third fastest time, he still believes that the competition will be fierce. He explained: “[Porsche] is leading the championship, showed good pace on test day, and has six cars. That makes them the favorites in a way, but I believe there will be many faster cars on the track. Cadillac has gone unnoticed, but I am confident they will be competitive, and Ferrari is also a strong contender. There is no clear favorite in my opinion. I am hopeful and optimistic that it will be a fierce battle.”
