In a surprising turn of events, Jaguar celebrated its first world championship victory since the Group C sports car days. The team’s strategy on when Cassidy should take his Attack Mode power boost and how Evans should support Wehrlein ultimately led to the pair feeling disheartened. It was an odd scene as they watched their competitors take the lead.
Evans’ downfall came in the form of a Formula E equivalent of an own goal. He failed to trigger the activation point while attempting to pick up his final dose of Attack Mode, allowing Wehrlein to overtake him. This mistake proved to be crucial as Wehrlein went on to claim his first world championship title.
On the other hand, in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Porsche’s drivers secured the world championship title, while Toyota claimed the manufacturers’ crown. Ferrari emerged victorious at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race, further solidifying their dominance in endurance racing.
Le Mans has always been the defining factor in judging an endurance racing season, but with the influx of manufacturers in the top Hypercar class and the new LMGT3 category, winning the WEC title has gained significant importance. Ferrari set their sights on the WEC crown for 2024, following their historic debut win at Le Mans the previous year.
Despite facing challenges, Ferrari secured their 11th victory at Le Mans, with drivers Nicklas Nielsen, Antonio Fuoco, and Miguel Molina leading the charge. Porsche’s crew of Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and André Lotterer emerged victorious in the WEC points, with Lotterer becoming a two-time WEC champion at the age of 42.
The Penske-run Porsche team overcame a troubled first season with the 963 car to showcase both pace and reliability in the car’s sophomore campaign. They clinched victory at the Qatar season opener and the round at Fuji, securing the championship title through consistent performances. Additionally, British team Jota made history by claiming the first privateer win in the Hypercar era, with drivers Will Stevens and Callum Ilott triumphing at Spa.
Overall, the 2024 season of the World Endurance Championship was filled with exciting races, unexpected twists, and well-deserved victories for both Jaguar and Porsche. The competition in both Formula E and WEC continues to intensify, promising even more thrilling moments in the future.
