P1racenews AI automatic summary:
36 entries for WEC’s 8 Hours of Bahrain
The 2023 WEC schedule includes the 8 Hours of Bahrain as the final race of the season, marking the last participation of the LMP2 category in the championship.
The GTE class will also be replaced by LMGT3 based on the FIA GT3 specification formula.
There will be a total of 36 entries competing across three categories: Hypercar, LMP2, and GTE-Am.
The Cadillac Racing team will have their single #2 V Series.R LMDh, while Vanwall has named Esteban Guerrieri and Tristan Vautier in their lineup.
Porsche Penske will field their #5 and #6 963 LMDh cars, aiming to challenge Toyota once again after a strong performance at Fuji Speedway.
Toyota GAZOO Racing has already secured the Hypercar Manufacturers’ Championship and the #8 GR010 Hybrid crew is leading the Drivers’ standings.
JOTA will continue their efforts with the Porsche 963 and Ferrari AF Corse will bring their two 499P LMHs to Bahrain.
Peugeot Sport is also looking for a strong result with their two 9X8 LMHs after finishing fifth and suffering a DNF last year.
Proton Competition, another Porsche customer team, is targeting a better outcome after finishing ninth in Fuji.
This will be the final known appearance of the Oreca 07-Gibsons in the LMP2 category.
Alpine Elf Team, Prema Racing, Team WRT, and United Autosports will be represented with two cars each in the LMP2 class.
The #41 WRT crew is leading the Drivers’/Teams’ standings, but Inter Europol Competition drivers are still strong rivals for the championship title.
Alpine, Prema, and WRT plan to continue their WEC efforts next year in the Hypercar category.
The LMP2 class in Bahrain promises a thrilling battle among talented drivers, including Mirko Bortolotti from the Prema team.
Source: Motorsport Week
