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, partnering with the Vasser Sullivan team since 2019.
With the FIA World Endurance Championship adopting the GT3 formula for this year’s LMGT3 category, Lexus will make its debut at Le Mans.
After securing 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 Hypercar world champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship, 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 WEC seat 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 exprime sa sincère gratitude à Akkodis ASP pour lui avoir permis d’être libéré de ses engagements en LMGT3.
« Mike commencera immédiatement un programme intensif de rééducation sous la supervision de l’équipe médicale de Toyota Gazoo Racing, dans le but de revenir à l’action du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA dès qu’il sera capable. »
Les activités sur la piste commenceront le dimanche 9 juin, avec deux sessions de trois heures lors de la Journée des Essais, suivies d’une combinaison d’essais libres et qualificatifs qui mèneront à la course principale les 15 et 16 juin. Hawksworth rivalisera avec 22 autres concurrents de la catégorie LMGT3 lors de cette première Le Mans.
