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WEC’s shocking shift: two-driver teams dominate endurance racing, but at what cost?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 7, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
WEC’s shocking shift: two-driver teams dominate endurance racing, but at what cost?

The Battle of the Drivers: Two vs. Three in the World Endurance Championship

In a seismic shift that has reverberated through the World Endurance Championship (WEC), the trend of two-driver line-ups is gaining traction among Hypercar teams ahead of the 2024 season. At last year’s Sao Paulo 6 Hours, an eye-popping seven out of 18 top-class entries were piloted by pairs, signaling a significant change in strategy. As more newcomers eye this two-driver format, the question looms large: Is this a game-changer or a gamble?

The Regulatory Landscape: What’s at Stake?

Under the current regulations, while LMGT3 mandates a driver crew to include at least one Bronze-rated driver, the Hypercar category opens the floodgates. Teams can assemble their driver line-ups freely, as long as no Bronze driver is involved. However, there’s a catch – nobody dares tackle a race exceeding six hours with just two drivers. The WEC regulations state that if a driver is entered but doesn’t participate, the entry is disqualified unless circumstances are deemed force majeure by race stewards.

The infamous Le Mans 24 Hours imposes its own stringent rules, requiring drivers to clock in at least six hours, but no more than 14 hours, within a maximum of four hours in any six-hour stretch. Furthermore, any driver who logs fewer than 45 minutes during the race earns no championship points – a penalty that could derail a season.

The Historical Context: A Shift in the Wind

Historically, two-driver teams in WEC have been a rarity, often a product of necessity rather than choice. Instances like Audi’s #2 car in 2012 and Toyota’s #8 in 2014 saw duos stepping up due to the absence of third drivers. Yet, 2024 marked the dawn of a new era, as Cadillac Racing boldly embraced the two-driver strategy for all six-hour races, paving the way for others like Aston Martin and Porsche Penske Motorsport to follow suit.

Since the WEC’s revival in 2012, only five races have been won by two-driver teams, a mere 4.9%. The memorable first victory was clinched by Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre in Sao Paulo, while more recently, the duo of Will Stevens and Callum Ilott triumphed at Spa 6 Hours without their teammate, Norman Nato.

Advantages and Disadvantages: The Two-Driver Dilemma

The advantages of a two-driver crew are becoming increasingly apparent. Porsche Penske Motorsport’s strategy last season allowed for fewer opinions on car setup, leading to a streamlined process that enhanced performance and driver confidence. “It was super positive,” stated Porsche LMDh boss Urs Kuratle. The limited free practice time during a six-hour race weekend pushes teams to optimize driver performance, allowing more one-on-one with engineers.

However, there are notable downsides. Without a parallel IMSA program, a third driver may arrive less prepared, taking on a high-pressure stand-in role, especially during pivotal events like the Le Mans 24 Hours. Teams often prefer all hands on deck for crucial races, which leads to a limited number of two-driver entries.

Additionally, track limits penalties pose another unique challenge. Each driver is responsible for their own infractions; thus, a car with two drivers could face severe penalties if one incurs multiple track limits violations during the race.

The Future: Will Three-Driver Teams Become Mandatory?

In a bid to level the playing field, the ACO and FIA briefly toyed with the idea of mandating three-driver crews at the end of 2024. However, overwhelming opposition from competitors led to a swift abandonment of the proposal. “As long as the calendar clashes with IMSA and Formula E, it wouldn’t be fair to introduce such a rule,” remarked BMW M Motorsport’s Andreas Roos.

Consequently, teams are left to navigate the complexities of driver availability while attempting to maintain competitive edge. With 2026 on the horizon, the scheduling conflicts between WEC and IMSA remain, further complicating driver line-up decisions. Notably, BMW’s M Hybrid V8s and Cadillac’s V-Series are set to field duos at the Imola race, showcasing the ongoing dilemma.

Le Mans: The Ultimate Test for Two Drivers?

The Le Mans 24 Hours has a storied history of two-driver entries, with the first occurrence dating as far back as 1971. Yet, the real turning point came in 1983 when a trio clinched victory for the first time. Despite the risk, the possibility remains open for two-driver crews to tackle Le Mans under exceptional circumstances, as seen when the stewards allowed a duo to compete in 2014 due to unforeseen driver withdrawal.

As the WEC landscape evolves, the debate over two versus three drivers continues to ignite passion and controversy. Will teams stick with a two-driver format, or is the traditional trio the only way to assure success in the grueling world of endurance racing? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.

Tags: 2025-classic-motorsports-editors-choice-award2025-fia-world-endurance-championship2025-le-mans-24-hoursalex-wurzally-cadillac-racingAston MartinNicolas LapierrePorsche Penske MotorsportWill Stevens
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