Why Mercedes Won’t Join Le Mans Hypercar

[@ngward79]

I think if the hypercar class shows stability with popularity and viewership over the next two years we might see Mercedes. Honestly I'd like to see even more manufacturers Like Aston Martin Valkyrie, De Tamoso P72 and Gordan Murry T50

[@cabrelbeuk72]

Aston Martin might be the only automaker that WEC fans wouldn't welcome warmly, after they almost torpedoed the hypercar regs to in the end not even join.

[@CincySupercar]

@@cabrelbeuk72 The Valkyrie not running Leman is the saddest news since hypercar was announced. The Valkyrie makes the project 1 look like a regular SL/GT.

[@DuvJones]

I am not so sure about that, the German companies (those old enough anyway) tend to avoid the negative things that happen in the past. The elephant in that room is World War 2, but it's also with things like the 1955 crash and 1999 crash. Mercedes doesn't like to attempt to revisit those errors, and the truth is that they are not going to be directly involve because of the money and resources involved.

[@kpl4174]

De Tomaso is planning to join 2024

[@CincySupercar]

@@kpl4174 I wouldn’t hold your breath. They have been showing up with the same P72 for the street at Monterey Car week since 2019. I have yet to see any actual customer car spotted anywhere online or delivered.

[@terryfleming7084]

I don’t believe it’s money! With the spending cap on formula 1, they could split the money around the racing organization to keep good engineers.I feel like it bad luck turning into bad publicity.

[@Mr.Waffullz]

That's what Ferrari did. They had leftover money from all the budget cuts. Shame Audi is going ALL in F1 and just abandoned all of their motorsports efforts.

[@terryfleming7084]

@@Mr.Waffullz Yes! I miss their “loophole” finding. The first year they showed up with a diesel powered car was fantastic!

[@cabrelbeuk72]

The 300 SLR accident is not only the worst accident of Le Mans, it's the worst accident in any form of motorsport and it had a huge impact on motorsport overall, from heavy changes in all categories security regulations to some country simply banning motorsport alltogether on their soil (Swiss).

[@lll0063]

Favourite first words: let's talk hypercar! You should start all videos this way.

[@britishfilmguy]

Still remember the Mercedes GT1 when their CLR went airborne with Mark Webber in the cockpit.

[@leeday2265]

The GT1s were the 1997/98 CLK GTR and 98 CLK LM. Neither of these GT1s went airborne. There's a good chance that one of these would have won in 97/98 if A. They went in 97. B. They had more testing before 98. AS the video explained, the CLR went airborne 3 times in 1999. Probably, on most tracks this wouldn't have happened. However, it also happened to the 98 Porsche and the race winning 99 BMW. The issue was pushing the rear down on the fast straights to prevent drag, which meant the front lifted. We never saw the Webber crashes, only this one.

[@MJY5drives]

"Why don't you go back to Le Mans in the new Hypercar class?" Mercedes- "We like keeping our cars on the ground"

[@DuvJones]

You know... when they said top flight class.... Merc was shivering. Makes sense.

[@sujjo]

I would love to see a hypercar from Red Bull racing. Especially with its chief designer Adrian Newey involved in the making of the Aston Martin hypercar and is hungry for more. A LeMans entry could motivate him. Moreover, Ford is joining Red Bull in F1 from 2026. So Red Bull might design Ford's Hypercar if it is willing to come back to endurance racing :) Fun to speculate.

[@gtone339]

They considered joining the LMH category with their Aston Martin Valkyrie project years back but they decided to focus on F1 instead.

[@thiagoleopoldo8988]

RedBull is involved (with Oreca) in the hydrogen powered class that should be launched for 2026 (if it is not postponed again)

[@favianmadrid6345]

They already have Acura lol

[@rishinarang9966]

I dont see them joining with ford as ford is just helping them until they fully put redbull powertrains in motion. after that they will be building the on their own.

[@mrsoisauce9017]

The RB17 is coming in, and it looks a lot like the Valkyrie from a side view. This might not be so far fetched, tbh

[@saad_ghannam]

I think the only Mercedes cars we'll see at Le Mans anytime soon are customer AMG GT3s starting next year

[@Mysterion157]

I’m ok with them only doing the customer GT3s, they seem to be going pretty well

[@gtone339]

Mercedes benz will have no problem doing that!

[@its__ritz]

If the rules for IMSA/WEC stay stable, plus with the change in regs for F1 in 2026 I could see Mercedes rejoining after that point in time. I don't see them going with a bespoke design, but the LMDh route and using their own engines.

[@estherlagrama8706]

I think mersedes will join wec in 2024 On my calculations the 2024 wec series will be were gt3 come in and by that mersedes has a gt3 car so it could be possible for mersedes to join wec because of the gt3 seres

[@ohjonny95]

​@@estherlagrama8706 the AMG GT3 is among the best GT3 cars in the world.

[@mrsoisauce9017]

6:18 in all fairness tho, new F1 regulations did introduce the budget cap to prevent overspending, which would naturally free up resources for an LMH entry, should they choose to go down that path. I find it more likely however that Mercedes enters in LMDh, given that it's cheaper and more successful to do that than to create an LMH car based on a road-going vehicle, which is too limiting (tbh, LMDh should have never been introduced, as I would love to see road-going variants of these Le Mans hypercars, which would ultimately be necessary for funding of the project as was Aston Martin's intention before the new regulations)

[@edugj23]

With the upcoming transition to GT3, we can't entirely rule out the three-spoked stars from showing up. But a top class effort is indeed hard to see.

[@cliffordbruber2791]

It would be great to see Mercedes join Hypercar. But I have to say that their Formula 1 program is top priority and the same is true when it comes to supporting their customer GT3 teams.

[@FormulaJonah]

I 100% agree

[@cliffordbruber2791]

@@FormulaJonah Indeed. I still remember that back flip incident that happened to Peter Dumbreck in the Mercedes CLR at Le Mans in 1999. That was a scary one.

[@FormulaJonah]

@@cliffordbruber2791 It definitely was scary!

[@cliffordbruber2791]

@@FormulaJonah Indeed. I think the aero of the modern cars is more settled down and of course that crest of a hill between Mulsanne and Indianapolis was smoothed out and shaved down at one point after the Mercedes incident. Cannot remember exactly what year.

[@Bncxx1275]

@@FormulaJonah could you explain why Aston Martin fail to join ?

[@SultanNizi3000GT]

Mercedes have quite of a PTSD.....

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Honestly if they join it won't be the F1 team from UK running a WEC team it would someone from Germany. Very nice video. Keep up the good work.

[@JensEausB]

HWA AG would make it.

[@SpeedyHabibi]

Great, informative Narration, I loved it!❤👍

[@elprestejuan]

I expect the return of McLaren, Aston would be great too

[@sagitta98]

When they're back competing in LMH class, I wish The Le Mans curse won't strike them again flying off track...

[@Bncxx1275]

It's Tobias Moers who do not agree such expensive cars like AMG one race under BoP As the result Mercedes AMG gt3 Will never invited to WEC

[@chrisl211]

It's a real shame because they have very strong GT pilots (Marciello, Gounon, Engel, Stolz, Juncadella) who could step up to the hypercar category.

[@Eagleracer38x]

Mercedes is still butt hurt about the ACO and CLR stuff.

[@gtone339]

If BMW, another German manufacturer, and Lamborghini, owned by VAG, is joining the LMDh category then why not Mercedes Benz? If Ferrari can do both F1 & WEC at the same time then why not Merc? Porsche is hungry!

[@ajrf92]

CLR trauma.

[@Bncxx1275]

Tobias Moers do not agree expensive cars like AMG one race under BoP As the result Mercedes AMG gt3 Will not invited to WEC Hell,even if they win bathrust Nurburgring alms and elms either

[@patrickracer43]

I feel like Mercedes doesn't want to be in the top class of endurance racing as the last couple times they were competing for the overall victory at Le Mans didn't go too well (outside the Sauber entries)

[@shantygaming694]

If Mercedes were to join, I think it would be with an all new platform and not of a LMH/LMdH version of the Project One. They may bring some technology over that they developed for the Project One. But converting the existing car into a LMH car would take so much work that they might as well just start from a new platform. One that wouldn't potentially be held back from it being a road car initially. I think if we are truly headed into a new golden age of sports car racing. More manufactures will join once they see the popularity of the new series. So I think Merc joining is definitely a possibility, they just want to see how is starts off first. I would have thought Ford could be a manufacture potentially joining. But with them joining Formula 1 in 2026, it might be too much work developing two new racing startups at the same time.

[@12th.jahlil]

None of the lmh or lmdh cars are built off a road car, but use styling cues from their brand to basically make a modded lmp2. There are a few chassis suppliers all manufacturers go off of. Thats why none of the current cars look like any road car, its just design cues. So yes, mercedes would use another chassis and a completely different car, only using their own engine basically as everything else is either spec or custom made usually. If they make an lmh or lmdh itll looknlike the project one but not at all is the project one

[@321-Gone]

Short Answer, Merc has a F1 engine in there hypercar. They are promoting F1 for some reason. If lmh and dH become marketable, they'll joing. Short video.

[@David-ce7hg]

Yes you know about it , from what I understand they will be racing in there own class but I am not hundred percent sure on that , I am not huge Nascar fan but it should be interesting .

[@David-ce7hg]

I understand NASCAR is going to enter a car in the 24 of Lemans. Your thoughts .

[@FormulaJonah]

Super excited!! Can’t wait to see it on track, especially with that driver lineup! Jimmy Johnson who has major experience in NASCAR, Jenson Button who’s an F1 world champion, and Mick Rockenfeller who’s already raced at Le Mans multiple times most notably with Audi!

[@gtone339]

Garage 56 with Nascar Chevvy this year

[@racer14glr91]

Money is the biggest hurdle.

[@FormulaJonah]

Could be one of the reasons

[@benniebullock3301]

The Toyota, Ferrari and Glickenhaus aren't allowed to race in IMSA, They don't use any of the 4 approved chassis' IMSA requires.

[@FormulaJonah]

Toyota and Ferrari can, but everybody else can’t. LMH cars can race with LMDh entries in IMSA, but only if the manufacturer can produce 2,500 road cars in America. Glickenhuas, Vanwall, Peugeot, Isotta Fraschini and even Alpine with their LMDh cannot race because of this rule

[@benniebullock3301]

@@FormulaJonah Ferrari and Toyota developed there chassis in house. IMSA LMDH rules require the use of these 4 manufacturers: Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic, or Oreca. Regardless of US sales numbers they don't use a mandated chassis.

[@pmayo7894]

@@benniebullock3301 - "IMSA LMDH rules require the use of these 4 manufacturers: Dallara, Ligier, Multimatic, or Oreca." - IMSA GTP allows the use of the LMH ruleset, to be fair, thanks to Aston Martin and their Valkyrie.

[@noel3198]

Who is here after Mercedes announced their comeback in Le Mans with the new project 1 Le Mans concept >>>>

[@ryanb9749]

Maybe they'll announce a 2025 entry during LM23

[@joshlehnertz2726]

Mercedes f1 spent 300 million pre budget cap, with zero hesitation. The budget cap is only 140 million. A sports car team would not affect the f1 program in any way shape or form, they have a pile of money they are willing to spend.

[@TheLockbeard]

Why Mercedes won’t do Le Mans? Even though they have one win as a manufacturer as well as with Sauber, Mercedes is more known for their incidents in ‘99 and most infamously ‘55. While I’m certain that there will be privately entered GT3’s next year, I just don’t see Mercedes returning to the top class.

[@DuvJones]

I will be honest, I am not sure about Merc privateers with GT3's. The reason... ACO's priority in LeMans 2024 is to anyone with a hypercar effort. That leaves Merc out in the cold given how there was a waiting listen for 24h of Daytona 2023, with 24h of LeMans was stacked this year and more Hypercar efforts are coming (namely Lambo, & BMW). I am not sure that applies to WEC proper (because the rules for LeMans are different) but I would not be shocked if it has a cooling effect to that idea.

[@Bncxx1275]

@@DuvJones Ford and McLaren join It'sTobias Moers who do not agree such expensive cars like AMG one race under BoP As the result Mercedes AMG gt3 Will not invited to WEC

[@Mg2SiO4]

This lack of interest in endurance and the Le Mans 24 hours is why I will not buy another Mercedes. As an endurance addict, I will give a sense to the manufacturer's marketing investments by choosing a car from a brand involved in Le Mans and Endurance. Selling cars is at the base of manufacturers' racing programs. So, I will give a sense to all this.

[@hansfritz48]

It wouldn't take energy from the F1 team now that F1 has such a tight budget cap now. That's why Ferrari are joining the WEC.

[@cars-iar9612]

It some things mercedes will join some point and they can use the f1 engine they just need to make a body

[@Romulus1001]

There's no way they would use an F1 engine. F1 engines are designed for sprint racing, not endurance racing, not to mention the cost to develop and operate it. If they did get into an LMH/LMDh, they'd probably go with their 6.3L that's already used in the AMG GT3, assuming they haven't discontinued it.

[@cars-iar9612]

They will probably yes a v8 like you said

[@blauekits7782]

. Its like having the black pearl of motorsport curses.

[@kben24]

I think Red Bull is coming soon… It might just be an Acura LMDh car run by WTR/Andretti or Red Bull Racing themselves, but Max Verstappen’s wants to do endurance racing and I can’t see him waiting till 2028… plus with the Ford/Red Bull engine partnership coming in 2026. They’ve got 2-3 years to take advantage of the Acura/Honda crossover branding.

[@sergioporteles5554]

"When Mercedes start flying, something has gone terribly wrong"

[@johnpatricklim4509]

I commented when Mercedes launched their Project 1 about going for Le Mans....and they replied with smirked emojis.....

[@waltvancourt5052]

Prototype racing is too long, too many cars, to hard to win, they rather just run a 2 hour race with little competition were the fans pay big money to attend and don't get nearly their money worth as fans get from a huge grid mulitclass endurance race series. GET YOUR $ WORTH SEBRING NEXT !

[@lee.melvin-racing]

Formula Jonah,Alfa Romeo

[@FormulaJonah]

Hopefully it’s happens. It’s on my ideas section of potential videos

[@craigmoy5428]

The simple reality is that the Hypercar class is NOT FOR HYPERCARS it is a cheap formula built to get as many manufacturers as possible in and to keep Toyota in the sport. Would have been much better they created a new and real name given anyone who makes a hypercar DOES NOT compete. Aston Martin etc........

[@nick2128]

Porsche, Ferrari…

[@iqbawlpatt6313]

When you compete in Le mans using mercedes f1 engine

[@nidhishg1622]

First

[@matcrespillo]

They won in 1952, with the Mercedes W194, 300 SL. First and Second. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans