The final driver lineup for Proton Competition’s Le Mans 24 Hours-bound No. 44 Ford Mustang GT3 has been revealed.
The German team is set to contest the 92nd running of the French classic with factory driver Chris Mies, Le Mans debutant Ben Tuck and former Le Mans Series LMPC champion John Hartshorne. This confirmation follows the most recent Le Mans entry list reveal, which listed Proton team owner Christian Ried alongside Tuck and Mies.
However, Ried told RACER prior to the entry list being published that he did not intend to drive, following his retirement from professional racing at the end of the 2023 FIA WEC season. Instead, Ried was a Bronze-rated placeholder for the car while the team finalised the deal for Hartshorne to join the team.
Currently, the British duo of Hartshorne and Tuck compete in the European Le Mans Series together with JMW Motorsport in an LMGT3 class Ferrari 296 GT3. The Le Mans 24 Hours will be their first event in a Mustang GT3.
“I’m delighted to have the chance to race at Le Mans once again,” said Hartshorne, who has three previous Le Mans starts to his name. “This will be the last time I enter the event and I can’t wait to get going with a great team. It is a superb event and I’m lucky enough to have done it three times already. I’m thrilled to be racing with Proton Competition too.
“They are one of the top GT teams and I know I will learn a lot from them. I’m also pleased to be racing with Ben once again. He and I have formed quite the partnership over the last couple of years and I can’t wait to see how he enjoys his first Le Mans experience. Racing with Chris Mies is also a huge privilege. I think we have a good package and I am now counting down the days till June!”
Ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours debut, Tuck added; “What a year to make my debut at Le Mans, in an era of endurance racing that’s going from strength to strength. It’s such a competitive grid and I’m thrilled to be part of it. To race with a team with the pedigree of Proton is a great opportunity and I’m thankful to all those who have made it possible. I can’t wait to get out there.”