Tandy, Makowiecki Complete Porsche Factory LMDh Lineup

Photos: Porsche

Porsche has confirmed Nick Tandy and Frederic Makowiecki as the final two drivers in its factory LMDh lineup.

Tandy and Makowiecki join the previously announced Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr, Kevin Estre, Michael Christensen, Laurens Vanthoor, Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbell and Andre Lotterer in the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory effort.

Driver combinations for the dual FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program will be announced at Porsche’s ‘Night of Champions’ dinner next month.

“We’re delighted to welcome Nick Tandy back and to have Frederic Makowiecki join the squad,” said Head of Porsche Motorsport Thomas Laudenbach.

“With Nick and Fred, we know exactly what we’re getting: total commitment, a wealth of experience and incredible talent.

“The results from the years 2013 to 2020 underlined very clearly what Nick Tandy is capable of. He has won the major endurance classics at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

“Nick belongs to real winners. I’m certain he’ll bring all of his expertise in 2023.

“Fred Makowiecki knows our new Porsche 963 inside out. He drove the first meters in the LMDh prototype in January and he has worked meticulously in the simulator, tirelessly testing the car to advance its development.

“I have no doubt that our ten-man squad for 2023 is a force to be reckoned with.”

As previously reported by Sportscar365, former Corvette factory driver Tandy had been expected to rejoin Porsche for its factory LMDh endeavor after two years away from the German manufacturer.

The 38-year-old Englishman, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall in a Porsche 919 Hybrid in 2015, maintained links to Porsche during his stint with Corvette Racing, having contested several GT3 endurance races for customer teams in GT3 machinery.

“I couldn’t be happier or more excited to join Porsche Penske Motorsport for 2023 and feel honored to race the 963 and be back in the top-classes once again,” said Tandy.

“When I heard the names Porsche Motorsport and Team Penske together, it didn’t take long once the discussion started to make a decision.

“As I well know, Porsche is synonymous with sports car racing and globally known as one of the very best in the business. I’ve also long since deeply admired everything that Mr. Penske and his racing team have accomplished in every series they turn their hand to.

“I believe we all share the same desire to compete at the highest levels and win at the biggest events and championships.”

Makowiecki, meanwhile, was the first to drive the Porsche 963 during its initial rollout, and has played a key role in the car’s early development.

It’s understood both Makowiecki and Porsche Formula E driver Pascal Wehrlein were part of the manufacturer’s 36-hour endurance test at Sebring International Raceway last month.

“I’m extremely proud to compete for the Porsche Penske Motorsport team next season,” said Makowiecki.

“I was involved in the development of the Porsche 963 from day one, so I’ve experienced firsthand the huge advances that we’ve made over the past few months.

“We’ve made great progress. That’s why I’m looking forward to the first races of the 2023 season.”

While Porsche has yet to declare which series each driver will compete in, it’s understood that the WEC cars will be allocated three drivers apiece, with two full-season drivers in the pair of Porsche 963s in the WeatherTech Championship.

Laudenbach told Sportscar365 that it’s possible to utilize two of Porsche’s WEC pilots to complete the WeatherTech Championship lineups for the long-distance races at Daytona, Sebring and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, although a final decision has not yet been taken.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John