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Even without Ford, who will join the ranks of the World Endurance Championship next year, and BMW, the GTE-Pro battle at Le Mans looks to be as tightly and hotly contested as the LMP1 class will be.
Picking a winner is a difficult proposition, but here are the cars competing, and a word on each.
#51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia
Twice GTE-Pro world champions and the defending Le Mans winners, the combination of Gianmaria Bruno, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander as as good as there is, not just in GTE-Pro but in any class on the track.
These veteran guys are level-headed and fast, and AF Corse always provides reliable equipment. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, these guys will be right among it, hunting for two straight at Circuit de la Sarthe.
#71 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia
The less-fancied AF Corse car is still a legitimate threat in GTE-Pro. Veteran Oliver Beretta, he of six class wins and a further four podiums, joins regular WEC drivers Davide Rigon and Le Mans debutant James Calado.
They’ll probably need some luck going their way to have a shot at the win. Realistic chance at a podium, though, because their car will be so well prepared.
#63 Corvette Racing Corvette C.7R
The great Australian hope in GTE-Pro, for this car features Ryan Briscoe, fresh from victories alongside teammates Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen at Daytona and Sebring. A rare triple crown is on offer, and given Corvette’s generally good reliability – and a speedy trio behind the wheel – it’s not as long a shot as some might think.
#64 Corvette Racing Corvette C.7R
Two rising American stars, Tommy Milner and Jordan Taylor, are joined by the lank Brit Oliver Gavin, and with the backing of the impressive Corvette team, these guys have a good chance at a podium, or more, if everything plays out according to plan. Refreshing to see Americans making their mark in international sports car racing. Overshadowed by their Daytona- and Sebring-winning sister car, this might be the coming-of-age moment for the #64.
#91 Porsche Team Manthey Porsche 911 RSR
These guys are as good as it gets in GTE-Pro, and deserved favourites coming into Le Mans. There’s nothing that Richard Leitz and Jorg Bergmiester can’t handle. They’re good at night, in the rain, wherever and whenever, and such skills are going to be of enormous benefit to their rookie teammate, Michael Christensen.
I like this trio for the GTE-Pro win.
#92 Porsche Team Manthey Porsche 911 RSR
No drop-off in talent in the second Manthey car. Wolf Henzler, Frederic Makowiecki and Patrick Pilet all know how to get around Circuit de la Sarthe quickly. The addition of Henzler to the regular WEC line-up makes this a formidable line-up.
It could well be a battle between the two Manthey cars late on Sunday afternoon, and wouldn’t that be something?
#95 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE
The car that won the GTE-Am world championship a year ago moves up to the big game, and all three Danish drivers, Christoffer Nygaard, Marco Sorensen and Nick Thiim are capable of going quickly. Sorensen is a rookie, and runs a GP2 program alongside his GT commitments.
These guys should have a strong race, and a podium would be a fantastic result.
#97 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE
Rob Bell, Stefan Mucke and Darren Turner represent AMR’s best chance of winning at Le Mans in 2015. These guys have all been around the block many times, and have enviable records at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Turner may be old, but he’s still sold behind the wheel. A trouble-free run for the #97 and they’re definite contenders.
#99 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE
The Prodrive-run Aston Martin squad have decided to throw three rookies together in their third entry, making it one of the cars to keep an eye on. Fernando Rees and Alex McDowall should’ve started here last year, but a massive accident in practice meant they didn’t see the drop of the green. In 2015, they’re joined by impressive New Zealander Richie Stanaway, who recently won a GP2 race at Monaco, and he has talent to burns.
Rees has been one of the stand-outs of the season, and McDowall gets better with each race. I really like this combination, and they could surprise.
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