After an impressive yet frustrating show at the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, Mazda Team Joest set off on another endurance challenge at this weekend’s 12 Hours of Sebring. Although the No. 77 Mazda RT24-P, driven by Tristan Nunez, Timo Bernhard, and Oliver Jarvis, began the race in second position, the performance of the two Soul Red vehicles did not match the remarkable speed that allowed them to break a long-standing record in Daytona.
Nevertheless, one pivotal question lingers for this determined team: what lies ahead for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
In a recent discussion with Masahiro Moro, CEO of Mazda North America, The Drive inquired about the future of Mazda Team Joest in prototype racing and the prospects of Mazda participating in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans soon. Moro reacted with enthusiasm when the French race was mentioned, suggesting that there may be plans he couldn’t “share with us,” before quickly adjusting his words. This indicates that there might indeed be a plan in the works.
“I think we don’t have a plan we can probably sh[are]…about doing a 24 hours race yet,” Moro-San said, speaking to The Drive. “We have been in contact with the ACO [Automobile Club de l’Ouest], and I’m meeting with Pierre Fillon and Jean Todt soon to discuss. It’s crucial for us [ACO and Mazda] to stay connected.”
Mazda’s legacy at Le Mans is notable, with its 787B race car holding a cherished status among endurance racing fans globally. The contemporary Mazda RT24-P not only boasts a striking design reminiscent of its predecessors but is also driven by adept racers like Timo Bernhard, a three-time Le Mans victor, who excel at the renowned Circuit de la Sarthe.
“We need a strong team, a competitive car, efficient race management, and of course, the necessary resources,” Moro-San noted. “Team Joest has claimed victory at Le Mans 15 or 16 times, so they possess ample expertise to handle that challenge.”
“We are eager to explore what the future holds regarding our potential participation in 24-hour races. For now, our primary focus is to secure a championship here [in IMSA],” Moro-San continued. “Mr. Joest is a formidable leader, and he is definitely focused on achieving a title. After that, we will consider our next steps.”
While a one-time entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans may seem feasible given Mazda Team Joest’s capabilities, achieving compatible rules and regulations for DPi (Daytona Prototype International) cars between IMSA and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) would also be an attractive prospect for the Japanese automaker. Such universal regulations would enable Mazda, along with other manufacturers like Toyota, to participate in key events such as the Rolex 24, Sebring, Le Mans, Fuji, and others without the necessity of creating two separate cars or operating two different teams.
“In recent years, the ACO with WEC and IMSA have collaborated on events, such as at the 12 Hours of Sebring, so I believe the balance of performance (BOP) in the USA is currently satisfactory,” Moro-San commented. “From my perspective, the DPi format is very cost-effective for teams, which is encouraging. This accessibility allows more teams to join, which is vital for the series.”
“I hope this year the FIA considers how to attract more teams to the series, and we [Mazda] aspire for the regulations across different series to align more closely. A universal regulation would be an excellent framework for global competition—it would benefit not only me but also the Mazda fans who support us tirelessly,” Moro-San concluded.
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