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Briton Phil Hanson will race the ‘customer’ Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar run by AF Corse in next year’s World Endurance Championship. 

The 2019/20 WEC LMP2 title winner will move over from the British Jota squad with which he is contesting this year’s WEC in the Hypercar class at the wheel of a privateer Porsche 963 LMDh. 

Hanson, 25, is the first driver confirmed for the yellow-livered Ferrari run on a satellite basis by AF alongside the two factory 499Ps. 

The line-up for the car, winner of this year’s Austin WEC round in September, wasn’t confirmed when Ferrari announced earlier this month that its two works entries would go into a third consecutive season with an unchanged roster. 

Ferrari factory driver Robert Shwartzman isn’t expected to remain in the car: he looks certain to join Callum Ilott, one of Hanson’s team-mates at Jota this year, at the Italian Prema squad’s new IndyCar operation. 

Yifei Ye, who has raced the AF car in his first year on Ferrari’s books, is expected to remain part of the line-up, though there is uncertainty around Robert Kubica’s presence with AF next year.

Ferrari sportscar racing boss Antonello Coletta said on the confirmation of the six drivers in the factory cars that the squad for the #83 customer entry would be announced imminently.

Podium WEC Cup: #38 Hertz Team Jota Porsche 963: Philip Hanson

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

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He ruled out Ferrari Formula 1 development driver Arthur Leclerc taking a place in the car next year.

The brother of F1 racer Charles will be given mileage in one of the factory entries at the WEC rookie test on Sunday, the day after the season finale, but, according to Coletta, “still needs to learn about endurance racing” after being placed in the Italian GT Championship this year. 

Hanson, who also raced a 963 in the five IMSA SportsCar Championship enduros with JDC-Miller MotorSports this season, has switched camps after being left without a drive at Jota following the announcement that it will be Cadillac’s factory representative in WEC next year. 

Jota’s line-up for its pair of V-Series.Rs will not be announced until mid-November and is expected to be made up of a mix of the team’s current drivers and Cadillac regulars. 

Cadillac stalwarts Alex Lynn and Earl Bamber and Will Stevens and Norman Nato are certainties at Jota for next year. 

Bamber will dovetail his WEC programme with an IMSA assault driving for Cadillac’s Action Express Racing squad. 

Hanson will get his first taste of the Ferrari 499P on Sunday in the rookie test. 

#83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman, Yifei Ye

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

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He entered the Hypercar ranks after seven years in P2, six of which were with United Autosports.

Hanson’s credits with the Anglo-American team included a Le Mans 24 Hours class win in his WEC championship year and titles in the European and Asian Le Mans Series.

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Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe race director Rob Leupen is departing the Cologne-based organisation that masterminds the Japanese manufacturer’s World Endurance Championship campaign.

The 60-year-old Dutchman, also managing director of the company, will leave the employ of TGR-E at the end of the year, but has stepped down from his operational role with immediate effect ahead of this weekend’s WEC finale in Bahrain. 

The move is part of what TGR-E is calling a “renewal of its leadership structure”, which started earlier in the year when longtime technical director Pascal Vasselon was replaced by David Floury. 

A short statement from TGR read: “TGR-E began a long-term update of its leadership structure earlier this year: with the end of the calendar year approaching, TGR-E announces the next phase in this ongoing process.

“Rob Leupen will officially depart TGR-E at the end of year, and by mutual agreement he will suspend his operational role with immediate effect. 

“Rob has made an immense contribution to TGR-E and Toyota in motorsport over almost three decades of service and the company places on record its sincere thanks, and wishes him success in the next phase of his life.”

Rob Leupen, Toyota Director Business Operations and Mike Conway

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Leupen joined what is now TGR-E, then known as Toyota Motorsport GmbH, in 1995 in a human resources role and moved up to become general manager and then director of business operations.

He stepped up to become managing director in 2015. 

Toyota has not given details of a revised management structure at Cologne, which also produces the engines for the marque’s World Rally Championship programme and earlier this month announced a technical partnership with the Haas Formula 1 team. 

Masato Hirai is currently president, with former driver Kazuki Nakajima vice-chairman, a position he assumed on his retirement from the cockpit at the end of the 2021 season. 

Kamui Kobayashi dovetails racing in the WEC with the position of team principal of the sportscar team. 

Leupen’s departure, like that of Vasselon, has come as a surprise.

Vasselon had been expected to step down from the technical directorship he had held since 2006 and hand over to Floury at the end of this season, but was relieved of his duties at short notice before the start of the season.

The Frenchman, also 60 when the move happened, moved into a new role as vice-president of TGR strategic motorsport development focussed on its planned hydrogen combustion prototype programme.

MotoGP says it “remains committed” to running its season finale Valencia Grand Prix as scheduled in November, but that its focus is on support after flooding in the Valencia region has destroyed roads and killed over 50 people.

The Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia is set to host the traditional MotoGP final round on 15-17 November, plus the post-season test day on 19 November, but that has been thrown into doubt after heavy flooding destroyed access roads around the circuit.

MotoGP officials announced the circuit has not been damaged by the floods and is currently being used as a relief centre, following over 50 deaths and many people still missing.

Torrential weather has hit the Valencia region in the last 24 hours, with a month’s worth of rain falling in the space of eight hours.

Due to the developing situation in Valencia, MotoGP has asked for focus to be on supporting the crisis and those impacted before it makes a final decision over the Valencia GP next month.

“Everyone is aware of the current situation in Valencia caused by the heavy rains and flooding,” a MotoGP statement read.

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“There have sadly been over 50 fatalities in the region and many people are still missing. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones.

“Fortunately there have not been any injuries within the circuit staff but there is extensive damage to the exterior of the facility, specially to the circuit’s access.

“We’ve been informed that the Grand Prix track itself seems to be in good condition although a full evaluation is still ongoing.

“As you will all understand, it would be both insensitive and irresponsible to talk about the event at the current time.

“The focus must continue to be on helping those affected and the circuit is currently being used as a relief centre. As MotoGP we must try to help in anyway possible.

Franco Morbidelli, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“Nevertheless, both the local authorities and MotoGP remain committed to holding the event on the scheduled date and will work relentlessly to do so.

“We will follow up with more information when it’s available and will communicate as soon as possible if there are changes to the set-up of the event.”

The Valencia circuit and surrounding area hosted the FIA Motorsport Games last weekend, which was unaffected, and the track is also due to host Formula E pre-season testing between 4-7 November.

Most recently, the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled by Formula 1 organisers after flooding in the area.

New York, October 30, 2024 — Motor1, InsideEVs, and RideApart have launched completely redesigned digital platforms, it was announced today by Travis Okulski, Global Editorial Director, Motorsport Network. These updated sites offer readers and enthusiasts an enhanced, seamless experience for accessing car news, immersive content, and improved functionality. 

The refreshed sites introduce several new features aimed at providing readers with more accessible and engaging content. Editors will now be able to spotlight key topics through “collections,” which highlight featured stories and trending themes. Navigation has been simplified, and story pages now boast a clean, reader-focused design with increased opportunities for user interaction. The new responsive design ensures optimal functionality and display across all devices. 

“This redesign is exactly what our growing community of car enthusiasts, shoppers, adventure seekers, EV adopters, and those curious about the future of mobility have been longing for,” said Okulski. “Our new sites are built with readers in mind, prioritizing a clean, intuitive design that emphasizes our high-quality journalism, cutting through the noise to provide a top-notch experience.” 

Motor1 will introduce a new weekly newsletter, The Rabbit Hole, dedicated to its popular technology and engineering columns. Subscribers will receive fresh content every week, with one story from each newsletter featured on the site the following day.  

InsideEVs will continue to lead in its coverage of sustainable transportation and will launch new podcasts and newsletters early in the new year as well as relaunching the Plugged-In Podcast and the Critical Materials newsletter.  Each of the brand’s pages are designed to have a “home page” feel ensuring readers always have quick access to top stories and important updates. 
 
“For the past year, the team has worked tirelessly to make InsideEVs the leading authority on the high-tech transformation of the automotive industry,” said Patrick George, Editor-in-Chief, InsideEVs. “Our new design aligns perfectly with our mission and the exciting future ahead.” 
 
These redesigned platforms reflect Motorsport Networks’ commitment to delivering an enhanced digital experience, making it easier for enthusiasts and readers to stay informed in the latest developments in the automotive industry. 
 
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About Motorsport Network: 
With 40 million-plus monthly unique users and an active social media community of more than 15 million followers, Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform. Digital properties include prominent automotive industry brands as well as leading racing properties such as Motorsport, Autosport, Motor1, InsideEVs, RideApart, and GPOne. Motorsport Network partners with brands for industry-defining sponsorships, advertising, and events.  
 
Press Contact: 
Perri Dorset 
perri.dorset@motorsport.com