Reigning Formula E world champion Pascal Wehrlein will make his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut this year behind the wheel of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s 963 Hypercar, with the German hailing the opportunity as a ‘dream come true’.
Wehrlein is not a complete newcomer to the German brand’s title-winning hybrid prototype, having tested and raced it in the 24 Hours of Daytona back in January, winding up sixth overall in a privately-run JDC-Miller MotorSports entry. Buoyed by that performance, in June, the former DTM champion and Formula 1 star will test his mettle at Le Mans, as he prepares to tackle the gruelling round-the-clock contest – the indisputable highlight of the FIA World Endurance Championship campaign – for the first time.
Wehrlein will team up for the event with fellow Porsche factory drivers Felipe Nasr – a triple IMSA champion in the United States – and Nick Tandy, who is the only person to have completed the ‘Grand Slam’ of overall victories in the sport’s four pre-eminent 24-hour races: Le Mans, Daytona, Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring. The Brazilian will be making his sixth start at La Sarthe, while the Brit brings extensive experience from twelve previous Le Mans outings.
“Competing for Porsche Penske Motorsport at Le Mans is a dream come true for me,” enthused 30-year-old Wehrlein. “I’m looking forward to this major challenge because, unlike in Formula E, I have to share everything in the Porsche 963 that I would normally tailor specifically to myself: seating position, setup, strategy, and more.”
“Of course, I want to add major titles in other series to my Formula E World Championship victory, but my primary goal is to do a strong job for the team and learn as much as possible. Porsche has such an iconic motorsport heritage; I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Wehrlein added.
The Porsche driver roster is indeed formidable. Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, expressed his confidence in the lineup: “The Porsche driver roster is absolutely top-tier and incredibly deep. It only makes sense to leverage our strong personnel from the Formula E factory team for the third Porsche Penske Motorsport entry at Le Mans.” Laudenbach remarked on Wehrlein’s performance saying, “Pascal has fully convinced us with his performance in testing and his participation in the 24 Hours of Daytona. As the reigning Formula E world champion, he has earned his Le Mans debut at the wheel of a Porsche 963.”
Despite Wehrlein's excitement, the challenge ahead is steep. The heat of competition at Le Mans requires everyone to adapt quickly to its unique demands. Fortunately, he can rely on advice from his TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team stablemate, António Félix da Costa, who is set to make his seventh start in the legendary race, piloting an Oreca LMP2 prototype.
“I am very happy to be back at Le Mans after a one-year absence,” said da Costa. “In my last LMP2 appearance, I won the class – and that’s my goal again this year. I can’t wait to attack the event alongside my teammates!”
The upcoming 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on June 14-15, and it promises to be a thrilling weekend of racing as Porsche aims to leverage its strong driver resources.
Wehrlein and his teammates in the Hypercar Class will not compete alone. Porsche has entered multiple cars in the prestigious endurance event. Besides the #4 entry with Wehrlein, Nasr, and Tandy, the #5 entry will feature drivers Julien Andlauer, Michael Christensen, and Mathieu Jaminet, while the #6 entry will be driven by Matt Campbell, Kévin Estre, and Laurens Vanthoor. Furthermore, the LMGT3 Class will be represented by the Porsche 911 GT3 R entries, including the #85 Iron Dames and other competitive lineups.
For Wehrlein, the transition from Formula E to the endurance racing format will demand a new level of teamwork and strategy. Unlike in Formula E, where he had control over driving configurations tailored solely for him, he must share the vehicle settings and strategies with his co-drivers. This adds an intriguing layer to the challenge awaiting him at Le Mans.
This historic race is known not just for its duration but also for its rich motorsport heritage. Over the years, it has witnessed drivers and teams push the limits of speed, endurance, and teamwork. The experience of Nasr and Tandy, alongside the fresh perspective of Wehrlein, gives Porsche a robust mix of talent and experience as they prepare for this demanding competition.
As the event approaches, fans and motorsport enthusiasts will be eager to see how Wehrlein performs in what is traditionally a formidable arena for seasoned competitors. With his determination and the formidable support of his experienced teammates, he presents a compelling narrative leading into the racing season. Each lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe presents a new learning opportunity and a moment to add to Porsche’s storied legacy in motorsport.
The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is expected to be not just a battle of machines but a test of skill, strategy, and perseverance.
