Jack Hawksworth will make his second start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month (14-15 June), after being called up to stand in for the injured Ben Barnicoat at front-running LMGT3 outfit Akkodis ASP Team.
Hawksworth debuted at Le Mans last year, when – like now – he was a late replacement, deputising for José María López after the Argentine was promoted to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing for the event following Mike Conway’s cycling accident.
Despite being a complete newcomer to the demanding 13.6km Circuit de la Sarthe, the British star immediately looked at home. The #87 Lexus RC F LMGT3 he was sharing with Esteban Masson and Takeshi Kimura ran consistently up at the sharp end and led its class on multiple occasions before a succession of issues on the Sunday morning scuppered its podium challenge, restricting the crew to tenth at the chequered flag amongst the 23 competitors.
Hawksworth’s fastest lap in the race was the second-quickest of the Lexus sextet – and now, 12 months on, he is back with unfinished business on his mind...
“I’m really excited to return to Le Mans with Akkodis ASP Team,” he enthused. “Obviously it’s a shame for Ben that he’s not able to take part, but we all wish him a rapid recovery and I’m ready to join the guys in France and give it my all. The team and car have been very competitive over the first few rounds of 2025, and I’m really looking forward to trying to win the biggest race of the year with them!”
Having spent the formative stages of his career racing in the UK and Europe, the Yorkshireman has more recently been busy making a name for himself in America. After dominating the Star Mazda Championship in 2012 – his first season stateside – he went on to contest the IndyCar Series, frequently qualifying inside the ‘Fast Six’ and reaching the rostrum at Houston in 2014 as he impressed at the pinnacle of US single-seater competition.
Since switching to sportscars, Hawksworth has similarly excelled – triumphing in-class on his maiden appearance in the discipline at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014. The 34-year-old has subsequently established himself as a regular race-winner in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship’s GTD and GTD Pro categories with Lexus, being crowned champion in the latter alongside countryman Barnicoat in 2023. He currently sits second in the GTD standings for Vasser Sullivan Racing.
Hawksworth will partner Spa-Francorchamps pole-sitter Finn Gehrsitz and Arnold Robin in the #78 Akkodis entry at Le Mans – round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship campaign – while Barnicoat continues to convalesce from a mountain-biking accident in March.
The 93rd edition of the legendary twice-round-the-clock encounter will get underway with the traditional Scrutineering (Pesage) in the city-centre on 6-7 June, preceding the official Test Day on 8 June. The following week will comprise free practice sessions, qualifying and the Hyperpole shootout – all building up to the world’s most iconic endurance race, which will begin at 16:00 CET on Saturday, 14 June.
Watch FIA WEC live or on-demand via the official FIA WEC TV app – your full-access pass to the FIA World Endurance Championship including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Don’t miss a moment. For further information, check out the app.
