Vanthoor Brothers Enjoying “Family Affair” in Hypercar

Laurens and Dries Vanthoor are looking forward to a “special” FIA World Endurance Championship season opener, as it will mark the first time the brothers will have raced together in the Hypercar category.

While the elder Laurens is heading into his second season of Hypercar competition with Porsche Penske Motorsport, Dries will make his top class debut in the series as part of the lineup for the No. 15 BMW M Hybrid V8 alongside Raffaele Marciello and Marco Wittmann.

The two brothers have raced against each other plenty of times previously.

They were direct rivals in the GTE-Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021 and have shared a track in other major 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps.

This weekend’s Qatar 1812km, however, will mark the first time they have both simultaneously competed in WEC’s top category.

“It’s pretty cool if you think about it,” Laurens told Sportscar365.

“Once we’re busy we’re thinking about that less because we’re so busy but I think it hasn’t happened very often that two brothers at this level compete against each other for two different brands.

“Now we often travel together. We record our podcasts after the race because we’re both here and such stuff. Also our sister works here now in social media in the paddock as well.

“So it’s starting to be a bit of a family affair, but it’s definitely cool and something I think we’re both proud of.”

Dries, for his part, pointed that the two brothers already competed in the top class simultaneously when they both joined their respective manufacturers for the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

“We were there next to each other on the grid,” he said.

“That was a special moment, but now coming into the world championship, racing against each other, but also happy to not to tick off a box, but to achieve something which I think is not happening very often.

“I think our parents will be very proud. Our family is, of course, very happy to be able to watch the race. At least they only have to watch one page and watch one channel, so it’s more easy for them.

“My dad is coming as well this weekend. A bit unexpected, but will be, I think, as well, very cool for him to experience that.”

While Dries is making his Hypercar debut, Laurens already collected two podium finishes in Portimao and Fuji during his debut season in the category last year.

When asked if the elder Vanthoor has been passing on any advice, Dries replied: “He is always a bit stubborn. He gives me some things, but for sure he will never give me a lot.

“He will rather talk about how his session went than what they struggled with. But he he will never say something which would help me.”

Laurens responded to his brother’s comments saying he has solid reasons for keeping his cards close to his chest.

“Well, I would love to help him,” he said.

“On some things I obviously do give him advice. But first of all, he’s quick and experienced enough already to do his own stuff.

“Secondly, it’s a competition. Everything I tell him, I pretty much tell BMW and the other way around, obviously.

“We tell each other some small stuff and ask each other some small questions. But that’s a bit of a weird situation because you obviously want to be more open.”