James Hinchcliffe – Credit: © 2017, Richard Dole / LAT Photo USA
Pfaff Motorsports has confirmed their full-time IMSA WeatherTech drivers Olly Jarvis and Martin Kirchhoefer, James Hinchcliffe at three endurance races and Alexander Rossi at the 24 Hours of Daytona season-opener.
Ahead of the plaid Canadian team’s switch from the Porsche 911 GT3.R to the McLaren 720S GT3 package, they have announced their drivers who will front the #9 Pfaff Motorsports GTD Pro entry next year.
Jarvis will return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having last competed at the 2023 Daytona 24 with the Era Motorsports LMP2 team.
The United Autosports-affiliated driver previously completed a championship title-winning 2022 campaign for Meyer Shank Racing, which began with a Daytona 24 win.
Jarvis said: “I am really excited to be joining Pfaff Motorsports driving a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo
“The opportunity to join a proven championship-winning team and to return to IMSA full-time after winning the championship in 2022 made it an easy decision.
“Whilst it will be my first full season competing in GTD Pro in IMSA, I am relishing the opportunity together with my new teammates to fight for victories and ultimately the championship.
“A huge thanks to everyone at Pfaff Motorsports and McLaren for making this happen.”
The Briton will join Kirchhoefer, a McLaren factory driver since 2021, as full-season drivers.
Kirchhoefer said: “I’m super excited and I really can’t wait to get the season started.
“I’m feeling very honored that I’ll be part of the Pfaff Motorsports family.
“This is a big dream for me coming true and racing in the United States is something I’ve always wanted to do especially after my single-seater career in Europe.
“This year at Daytona was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever done – I love the atmosphere, I love the fans, and it’s just such a great environment to be in.
The team competed in the 2023 season with the new 992 model, before announcing a switch to McLaren after the end of the season – Credit: LAT Images / Copyright: © 2023 Jake Galstad
“Every driver I’ve talked to has the same opinion about racing in the States.
“It’s really a big thing for me, and especially being with Pfaff Motorsports because I’ve heard only good things and that it’s one of the best teams.
“I’m super motivated to have an amazing 2024 season.”
Former IndyCar star James Hinchcliffe is set to complement the duo as their endurance driver, for the Daytona 24, 12 Hours of Sebring, and season-ending Petit Le Mans, which leaves a seat open for another driver at the Six Hours of the Glen and the Battle on the Bricks.
During his career in the North American single-seater series, he claimed six race wins and 16 podiums.
His previous IMSA experience resided with four outings, three at the Daytona 24 in 2017, 2015, and 2014. An additional outing took place in a Riley Honda DP at the 2014 Road America 500.
Hinchcliffe said: “Being a proud Canadian, and with Pfaff Motorsports as Canada’s top professional race team, I am absolutely thrilled to partner with them in 2024 for the three long endurance races.
“Since we came up with this concept back in 2021 and as I looked to make a transition from IndyCar, being in this series and with this team has always been part of my goal.
“Being part of this next chapter with McLaren and with their last few years of on-track success, there is a lot of pressure, but a lot of optimism.
“I am grateful to Chris Pfaff and everyone on the team for making this happen.
“Daytona cannot come soon enough.”
Rossi will be the team’s Daytona driver for the opening round on 27-28 January, with an ongoing IndyCar career with McLaren and previous experience in IMSA.
He also accompanied the Konica Minolta DPi effort to win the Daytona 24 in 2021.
Rossi: “I am very excited for the opportunity to compete once again at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“While this year will be a first for me in a GTD Pro car, it is a race that I have come to truly enjoy over the years, and this will be no different.
“I look forward to getting to work with the guys and girls at Pfaff Motorsports, and helping them bring this new McLaren 720S GT3 Evo to the front of the grid.”
Keyword: Pfaff Motorsports confirms IMSA 2024 driver line-up