In an exciting development for the AKKODIS ASP team, Jack Hawksworth has officially joined their lineup for the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours. This comes as a replacement for Ben Barnicoat, who is currently recovering from an injury he sustained while mountain biking.
Hawksworth, a familiar name in IMSA racing, is set to make his second consecutive appearance at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. He had previously stepped in last year for José María López when the Argentinian was required to drive for Toyota in the Hypercar category after Mike Conway's cycling accident. "I’m really excited to return to Le Mans with AKKODIS ASP Team," said Hawksworth. "Obviously, it’s a shame for Ben that he’s not able to take part, but we all wish him a quick recovery."
"I’m really excited to return to Le Mans with AKKODIS ASP Team,"
Qualifying
The 34-year-old British driver competes full-time for Lexus Vasser Sullivan in IMSA and will be sharing the No. 78 Lexus RC F LMGT3 with Finn Gehrsitz, who recently secured pole position at Spa-Francorchamps, and Arnold Robin. This trio is aiming to capitalize on what has been a strong start to the season. Esteban Masson and Yuichi Nakayama have filled in for Barnicoat’s team at previous races. Although Barnicoat is reportedly nearing full recovery, the AKKODIS ASP team opted to prioritize his health, planning his return for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Watkins Glen the weekend following Le Mans. "The team has opted to go for a reserve driver and not risk the final part of [Barnicoat's] recovery," noted an insider.
"The team has opted to go for a reserve driver and not risk the final part of [Barnicoat's] recovery,"
Reflecting on his recent activities, Hawksworth expressed enthusiasm about the team's capabilities. "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!" His remarks highlight both the opportunity and challenge posed by the renowned endurance race.
