Possible Hypercar bridge for Allen

Aussie racier James Allen has had a remarkable year of success across the globe in LMP2, racing for the Portuguese based Algarve Pro Racing (APR).

But despite his unprecedented victories, he has opted to move on from the championship winning team after two seasons in the European Le Mans Series, switching to the French LMP2 Duqueine Team who will also be taking control of the new Isotta Fraschini LMH Hypercar to race in the World Endurance Championship in 2024.

When Allen looks back on 2023, it’s doubtful he’ll find a more excessive year of triumphs.

He won the Daytona 24 Hours LMP2 class in a stunning come-from-behind photo finish for German team Proton Competition, a back-to-back LMP2 victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours at the events 100th anniversary for APR, and also finally broke through for the European Le Mans Title in his eighth season … and he also won an Asian Le Mans race at the start of the year!

Allen confirmed to Auto Action from America that in switching to Duqueine for the LMP2 European Le Mans season, that a Hypercar seat is certainly something he’s aspiring to, and currently, there is still a seat still open in the team’s single WEC entry.

“At the end of season there were a few options, and APR had offered a deal to re-sign but Duqueine came along and it seemed like the best option for me going forward,” Allen said.

“There’s always the possibility (for WEC), and when I was first approached by them there was talk of that on that table.

“But of course, Isotta Fraschini are quite a small manufacturer and in terms of Hypercar numbers compared to the bigger factories, so they will also naturally look toward more well funded and budgeted drivers.

“It will be difficult, but in saying that there is a possibility there. At the moment I’ll be competing at the Le Mans 24 in an LMP2, but if that changes I’d love to do that race in a Hypercar.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to take the next step into WEC and at the Hypercars in IMSA, but for now it’s just about trying to get as many results as possible in LMP2 and keep ready for any opportunity that may arise.”

The French Duqueine Team is a global group that specialises in the automotive and aerospace industries, and it will now take over the on-track development and running of the new Isotta Fraschini Hypercar, with the 3L Turbo V6 Tipo 6 LMH Competizione having been developed by Michelotto Engineering, whilst the aero was developed by Williams in the UK.

Initially Vector Motorsport was to operate the new Hypercar in 2024, but the decision was recently made that the relationship would not go ahead due to cited “financial reasons” from the manufacturer.

That gave Duqueine the opportunity to step up into the top flight of the WEC for the first time to run the Tipo 6. (Vector has openly said it was slighted by the decision after it was given little access to testing and development).

With Allen’s team switch, It potentially sets up the possible bridge for the Aussie to make that leap in 2024 or 2025, with this year’s line-up consisting of Mexican driver Alex Garcia and Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay with the third yet to be named.

Whilst there was also the chance that the revived Italian manufacturer would race two machines in 2024, a 19 car grid has already been named for 2024 with the deadline passed, meaning a second entry is more likely to be the case in 2025. But at least the team switch puts Allen directly into the conversation if something does emerge this year, or next.

On his 2023 season, Allen said he can hardly believe the season he’s had.

“It’s been fantastic, to win the Daytona 24 Hours and then Le Mans for a second time … I can’t believe the success I’ve experienced this year to be honest, it’s just been an incredible year for me and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Good things keep coming his way, and here’s hoping that will include a future seat at the pinnacle of world endurance racing.

AUTO ACTION’s final issue of the year #1876 is out now in its digital form downloadable right here, and available in all good newsagents and stockists near you on Thursday, continuing on as Australia’s most trusted independent voice in motorsport. If you can’t get a copy locally, you can also subscribe to the latest issue of Auto Action print or digital edition of the magazine here.

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The team at AUTO ACTION wishes all readers and race fans a merry Christmas and happy new year!

 On the latest podcast, Bruce, PG and Andrew talk about their three motor racing highlights of 2023, and to balance it out… The three lowlights as well, not lowlifes Bruce!