Global focus on centenary event for French classic

Le Mans, France (5 June 2023) – The Heart of Racing (HOR) Team will make its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut next weekend as the team prepares for the hugely anticipated event at the Circuit de le Sarthe.

The outing will mark the team’s second World Endurance Championship (WEC) event, competing with Aston Martin under the Northwest AMR entry following the retirement of former Le Mans podium finisher Paul Della Lana earlier this spring.

Alex Riberas, Ian James, and Daniel Mancielli will pilot the No. 98 Aston Martin Vantage GTE. The trio made their first WEC appearance together at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in April, earning seventh place finish in the LMGTE-AM class in the team’s WEC debut.

While Riberas and Mancielli look forward to making their first-ever 24 Hours of Le Mans. The start of the race will mark the third outing in the French classic for James. The HOR team principal first raced in the event in 2005, returning to score an LMP2 podium in 2006.

“This is such a dream come true,” said Riberas. “This isn’t just one of those races that you highlight for the year, for me this will be a highlight to my entire life. It’s an honor to go with such a great team and to be a part of the team’s debut in the 100th edition of the race. I’m personally preparing like I would any other race because there is nothing different, or better that you can do to prepare for an event. We are going in with the same mindset as we do every race and that’s to do the best job that we can and capitalize on every opportunity that we get. I’m sure after the race I will realize that I just did Le Mans and it is something that makes me beyond excited and beyond happy. I’m very much looking forward to it and cannot wait!”

“This has already been a really big year for Heart of Racing with the Rolex 24 win, the debut of our expanded program in SRO, and now growing to race in WEC and having the opportunity to compete at Le Mans, it’s really remarkable for the team as a whole,” said James. “The race is extra special of course, being the 100th running. It will be a lot different than the last time I was there, but I am very much looking forward to getting there and getting things going. This race requires so much of everyone involved. We’ve got outstanding support, and there is so much talent on this program so we are looking to put all of that preparation and effort into a successful outing. “

The HOR team will start practice on June 7th and will have two days of practice and qualifying before having a day of rest on June 9th. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will take the green flag at 10:00am ET on June 10th. The race will be streamed live on MotorTrend.