Campbell comfortable with WEC Porsche switch

Aussie Matt Campbell’s hypercar switch into the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the Porsche 963 LMDh hypercar sees him transitioning back into a familiar environment, and for the first time, he’ll be in the top class of the Le Mans 24.

After a season in IMSA which saw him take Porsche Penske’s second win with the 963 with Felipe Nasr, Campbell will head back to the WEC and for the first time, he’ll also drive in the top class at the Le Mans 24 Hour for the first time.

Campbell spent three years in the now defunct LMGTE category in the WEC, wining the Le Mans 24 GT class in 2018 before switching to IMSA full-time in 2021, winning the GTD Pro championship in 2022 before being elevated to the pinnacle of the Porsche pyramid to drive its brand new hypercar.

Campbell and Nasr celebrate their win at Road America for their first in the 963 penske machine. Image: LAT

Campbell will share the #963 WITH Dane Michael Christensen and Frenchman veteran Frédéric Makowiecki.

“I think jumping across will be a relatively easy move, I’ve done a few years full time in WEC. So, I think that should be an easier transition,” Campbell said.

“Next year, there’s a lot of changes in WEC as well with obviously the removal of LMP2. A lot more cars in the top class and then the new LMGT3 category. So, I think it will be a really exciting era. It’s a good year to transition over.

“And in saying that, to be able to compete at Le Mans in the top class for the first timE it is a really great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Unlike Porsche being in the fight in IMSA against the other LMDh spec machines, the WEC was a different situation against the LMH hypercars and other LMDh cars, with Toyota and Ferrari dominant while the BoP was tinkered with ahead of much larger fields in 2024 and brand new machines from Lamborghini, Alpine, and Isotta Fraschini.

Campbell will pilot the #5 Porsche Penske machine with Christensen and Makowiecki in 2024. Image: LAT

“Obviously, they’ve not had the easiest of years, I think we can say in WEC, but I feel like next year, second year running, there’s a lot bigger push for sure and looking at the bigger picture. So, I think jumping across, I’m excited for what’s coming.”

Porsche Penske Vice President Thomas Laudenbach says it’s a logical move as they look to continue their WEC push.

“We’ve made a logical change in our driver squad. Our goal continues to be to optimise the overall package for contesting the two major championships. This applies to the vehicle and the team processes as well as the cockpit crews,” Laudenbach says.

“Last season we fought for the title in the IMSA series until the last race. Our expectations for 2024 are high: we want to lead the way in North America, Le Mans and the FIA WEC.”

The 2024 WEC season will start with the Qatar 1812 km on March 2, where the WEC will continue its sensational manufacturer heavy rise back into the minds of world motorsport fans.

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