Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours
Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet have filled the vacant seats in the third factory Porsche 963 LMDh at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
The IMSA SportsCar Championship team-mates have been named alongside Felipe Nasr in the additional car that will join Porsche Penske Motorsport’s two full-season World Endurance Championship entries in the Hypercar class for the double-points round on 10-11 June.
Tandy’s 11th Le Mans start reprises his debut in the top class at the French enduro in 2015 when he drove the third Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 to victory with Nico Hulkenberg and Earl Bamber.
Jaminet will be making his second start at Le Mans after racing a factory Porsche 911 RSR in 2019 in GTE Pro.
Tandy told Autosport: “When I first talked to Porsche about the four-car PPM programme I always said that racing in IMSA was high on my list of priorities, but if and when there was an extra car or cars at Le Mans, I would love to drive the 963 there.
“It wasn’t sure at the beginning when that would be possible, but it’s great that it’s happening in the first year of the programme and that I’m delighted to be part of it.
“The last time we went to Le Mans with a third entry, it didn’t end too badly, did it?”
Porsche had played down the chances of bringing its IMSA squad to Le Mans in the first year of the 963, but marque motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach said on the publication of the entry list at the end of February that the move was “all about maximising our chances”.
Nico Hulkenberg/Earl Bamber/Nick Tandy, Porsche 919 Hybrid celebrate in parc ferme at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours
Photo by: Andre Vor / Sutton Images
“That’s why we’re fielding a third car,” he continued. “The history of the race has shown that the additional cars deployed are often the factor that ultimately tips the scales.
“We don’t have to look far back in Porsche Motorsport’s history to see evidence of this.”
The third Porsche will run race number #75 in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the marque.
Matt Campbell, who partners Nasr in IMSA, has been named as the reserve for the three-car PPM squad.
The two regular WEC PPM entries will be driven by the line-ups that came together at the Sebring 1000 Miles series-opener earlier this month. Dane Cameron, Michael Christensen and Frederic Makowiecki drive #5 and Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor race #6.
The presence of the British Jota team’s customer 963 on the grid means there will be four Porsche LMDhs participating at Le Mans.
The Proton Competition team’s car is due to join the WEC at the Monza round in July.
Rast, Ricky Taylor combine at Tower LMP2 team for Le Mans 24 Hours
Why an 'artificial' Le Mans finish is more likely in 2023
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
Rossi's Road to Le Mans partner thought WRT offer was a joke
Rossi's Road to Le Mans partner thought WRT offer was a joke Rossi's Road to Le Mans partner thought WRT offer was a joke
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap?
Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap? Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap?
Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide
Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide
How Porsche's top class comeback lends prestige to the 2023 Le Mans battle
How Porsche's top class comeback lends prestige to the 2023 Le Mans battle How Porsche's top class comeback lends prestige to the 2023 Le Mans battle
The rollercoaster road to Le Mans undertaken by 2023's female starters
The rollercoaster road to Le Mans undertaken by 2023's female starters The rollercoaster road to Le Mans undertaken by 2023's female starters
How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return
How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return
How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.