Hawksworth joins AKKODIS Lexus for Le Mans

IMSA regular Jack Hawksworth has had a late call-up to make his second Le Mans 24 Hours start next month, standing in for the injured Ben Barnicoat at AKKODIS ASP as he continues his recovery.

Hawksworth will therefore make his second consecutive appearance at the Circuit de la Sarthe with ASP, after he deputized for José María López last year when the Argentine was called up to drive with Toyota in Hypercar following Mike Conway’s cycling accident.

The 34-year-old Briton, who is a full-time Lexus Vasser Sullivan driver in IMSA, will share the No. 78 Lexus RC F LMGT3 with Spa-Francorchamps pole-sitter Finn Gehrsitz and Arnold Robin, who are riding high after a strong start to the season for the French team.

Barnicoat will therefore miss his third WEC race of the season following his mountain biking accident before the Sebring 12 Hours in March, after Esteban Masson filled in for him at Imola and Yuichi Nakayama joined the team at Spa. He is understood to be pretty much fully recovered but is expected to make a return to the cockpit at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Watkins Glen, the weekend after Le Mans. The AKKODIS ASP team has opted to go for a reserve driver and not risk the final part of his recovery, with his first race back being a 24-hour.

“I’m really excited to return to Le Mans with Akkodis ASP Team,” Hawksworth said. “Obviously, it’s a shame for Ben that he’s not able to take part, but we all wish him a quick 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!”

The 93rd edition of the French twice-round-the-clock contest will begin at 4:00pm local time on Saturday, June 14.