Chip Ganassi Racing has officially confirmed their 24 Hours of Le Mans lineups, with Earl Bamber joining Alex Lynn and 2023 IndyCar Champion Alex Palou in the #2 Cadillac V-Series.R and Scott Dixon partnering Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande in the #3.
Bamber is competing full-time in the 2024 World Endurance Championship alongside Lynn in the #2 entry, while Dixon joins Bourdais and van der Zande for IMSA’s endurance events in the United States.
The six Chip Ganassi Racing drivers boast a combined total of 40 career starts in the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Among them, Bourdais leads with 16 starts, followed by Bamber with 7, Lynn and van der Zande each with 6, and Dixon with 5.
Palou is gearing up for his debut Le Mans outing after showcasing his speed in the Cadillac V-Series.R during last month’s Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend, having delivered the second-quickest lap time (1:35.589) among all drivers.
Chip Ganassi’s IMSA-based Cadillac is one of two making the trip to Europe, with Action Express Racing’s V-Series.R also competing at Le Mans.
Likewise, the American-based Lamborghini SC63 LMDh has been approved for the enduro, as has factory team Iron Lynx.
That brings the total of Hypercars competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to a record-breaking 23 entries, with the four North American competitors joining the 19-strong World Endurance Series contingent.
“Chip Ganassi Racing is honoured to be able to return to Le Mans to represent Cadillac Racing with our two Cadillac V-Series.R racecars,” said CGR’s Director of Operations Mike O’Gara.
“Finishing third and fourth overall in 2023 proved that we were ready to compete with the car on the world stage. Over the last year, CGR has continued to refine the V-Series.R, and we will be at Circuit de la Sarthe this June to compete again for the overall win.
“We are fortunate to be able to bring the best drivers and crew in the world to represent the Cadillac brand in one of the most significant races in motorsports.”
Bamber is a two-time winner of the famed race, with his victories coming in Porsche 919 Hybrids in 2015 and 2017. He finished third in the 2023 edition, competing with Lynn and Richard Westbrook.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Le Mans,” he said. “We want to improve on where we were last year, which was on the podium.
“I think we have all the potential to do it with Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing.
“I’m also looking forward to having Alex (Palou) join our crew. He’s been quite formidable in INDYCAR, and he’ll be a great addition to our team in one of the biggest races in the world.”
Dixon finished on the podium in his debut 24 Hours of Le Mans outing, coming home in third in the GTE Pro class in Chip Ganassi Racing’s Ford GT. He finished fourth in his maiden Hypercar outing with Bourdais and Renger van der Zande last year.
“I love this race; it’s one of the biggest and the toughest in the world,” said the six-time IndyCar champion. “We all know it is definitely a privilege even to be invited, so I’m excited to go back with Sebastien, Renger, Cadillac, and everybody involved.
“I feel like the team did a tremendous job last year. We had some issues here and there but to go third and fourth was pretty spectacular.
“Hopefully, we can have a closer fight this year but it’s one I love to do. I’m very fortunate to be able to do this with the team and to be a part of it.”
World Endurance Champion Brendon Hartley is also confirmed for the race for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place from June 14-16.
