UNITED KINGDOM: In a strategic move gearing up for the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, Team Vanwall, led by Colin Kolles, is set to swap out the normally-aspirated 4.5-litre Gibson V8 that powered their non-hybrid LMH in its debut season.
Kolles, not one to divulge the mystery surrounding the new powertrain, did confirm a significant shift: the adoption of a proven turbocharged engine. Assuring fans and rivals alike, he emphasized, “It is not in any way an experiment. It will be a turbo and is a proven engine with enough power and good reliability.”
The decision to part ways with the Gibson GL458 V8 was motivated by its inability to reach the maximum power level set by the Hypercar Balance of Performance. During the Bahrain races, the team experienced a power deficit, being 60kW (80bhp) down during the day and 50kW (67hp) at night. The team’s quest for increased performance prompted this strategic move.
Despite not disclosing the exact identity of the new engine, Kolles expressed confidence in the team’s compliance with regulations and highlighted the quality of the chassis. He dismissed concerns about securing drivers for the 2024 season, stating, “I don’t think that will be a major problem.”
The Vanwall, developed in-house by Kolles’s operation, scored its only points of the 2023 season with an eighth-place finish at the season-opening Sebring 1000 Miles. With the upcoming turbocharged upgrade, the team aims to elevate its performance and make a bold statement in the highly competitive world of endurance racing. As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes are on Team Vanwall to see how this powertrain switch will impact their quest for victory on the WEC stage.
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