Corvette Racing’s new Program Manager on the highs and lows of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
2026-06-12
Andrea Hidalgo has had a whirlwind six months. Having spent five years with the Corvette Racing factory team, Hidalgo was named Corvette Racing program manager in January. Her primary responsibility is coordinating engineering support between Chevrolet and the teams that race Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs around the world. This week, she and her team are in France preparing for the biggest race of the year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and supporting the group of four Corvette GT3 racecars. This isn’t Hidalgo’s first time at Le Mans, but it is her first time there in a team leadership role.
Ahead of the race, Hidalgo sat down to talk about the highs and lows of the legendary 24-hour sports car race, and gave a preview of what to expect at this year’s competition.
How have the first six months on the job been for you?
“It’s been really busy but also really exciting. Luckily I came into this role already familiar with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R and with many of the teams and drivers. My past experience was mainly in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA, so I’ve been learning more about how some of the other series operate. I’ve been to races in both championships plus the Paul Ricard round for GT World Challenge Europe round. Each race has been eye-opening in seeing how much fan engagement there is and the crowd turnout. In my past role, I was mainly based in and around the garage with the cars and crews. Now I’m learning more about the world outside of the garages – the championship organizers, the drivers, team managers, press, media, and of course, the fans. It’s all been very educational and very rewarding.”
Having spent time as powertrain support on the factory team and then with TF Sport, is there a sense of pride that comes with leading the Corvette Racing program?
“Absolutely. There is so much history in Corvette Racing, and there is definitely a sense of pride and gratitude that comes with being able to lead this program. I was extremely fortunate to have been able to contribute to our Le Mans win in 2023, then help develop and launch the GT3 program. So now the opportunity to lead the program is an amazing one. I care deeply about Corvette Racing and its relevance to the road car, as well as its legacy of success in motorsports.”
We’re now on to Le Mans. What is the outlook for the four Corvettes in the race?
“It's a big opportunity for us to support four Corvette GT3s in this year’s race. This is our third year there with the Z06 GT3.R, but we know that Le Mans is a race that never gets easier. Much of that is because the quality of the teams and manufacturers keeps rising year after year. That places extra importance on the preparation that our group does to assist each of our teams. Our Corvette Racing factory drivers are contributing as well via sessions in our Driver-in-the-Loop simulator. All of that data and feedback informs our pre-race recommendations for TF Sport’s three cars plus 13 Autosport’s entry. Then it comes down to the execution by each of the crews, engineers and drivers. Each team has proven they can win races, and we will be there in full force to support them in this year’s quest.”
What makes Le Mans special to you?
“Le Mans has always been the biggest race of the year, and competing there was one of the reasons Corvette Racing began. For me personally, Le Mans represents the pinnacle of endurance racing and all the emotion that comes with it. There was nothing like winning the race in 2023 – it was the highlight of my career – and there is nothing that hurt like the end of the 2022 race – it’s something I never want to repeat. Plus there is everything else that makes Le Mans special: the history, the circuit, Le Pesage, the parade through the town and the electricity that fills the paddock and city leading up to the race. There is nothing like it and I am so excited to get back this year.”
Andrea Hidalgo has had a whirlwind six months. Having spent five years with the Corvette Racing factory team, Hidalgo was named Corvette Racing program manager in January. Her primary responsibility is coordinating engineering support between Chevrolet and the teams that race Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs around the world. This week, she and her team are in France preparing for the biggest race of the year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and supporting the group of four Corvette GT3 racecars. This isn’t Hidalgo’s first time at Le Mans, but it is her first time there in a team leadership role.
Ahead of the race, Hidalgo sat down to talk about the highs and lows of the legendary 24-hour sports car race, and gave a preview of what to expect at this year’s competition.
How have the first six months on the job been for you?
“It’s been really busy but also really exciting. Luckily I came into this role already familiar with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R and with many of the teams and drivers. My past experience was mainly in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA, so I’ve been learning more about how some of the other series operate. I’ve been to races in both championships plus the Paul Ricard round for GT World Challenge Europe round. Each race has been eye-opening in seeing how much fan engagement there is and the crowd turnout. In my past role, I was mainly based in and around the garage with the cars and crews. Now I’m learning more about the world outside of the garages – the championship organizers, the drivers, team managers, press, media, and of course, the fans. It’s all been very educational and very rewarding.”
Having spent time as powertrain support on the factory team and then with TF Sport, is there a sense of pride that comes with leading the Corvette Racing program?
“Absolutely. There is so much history in Corvette Racing, and there is definitely a sense of pride and gratitude that comes with being able to lead this program. I was extremely fortunate to have been able to contribute to our Le Mans win in 2023, then help develop and launch the GT3 program. So now the opportunity to lead the program is an amazing one. I care deeply about Corvette Racing and its relevance to the road car, as well as its legacy of success in motorsports.”
We’re now on to Le Mans. What is the outlook for the four Corvettes in the race?
“It's a big opportunity for us to support four Corvette GT3s in this year’s race. This is our third year there with the Z06 GT3.R, but we know that Le Mans is a race that never gets easier. Much of that is because the quality of the teams and manufacturers keeps rising year after year. That places extra importance on the preparation that our group does to assist each of our teams. Our Corvette Racing factory drivers are contributing as well via sessions in our Driver-in-the-Loop simulator. All of that data and feedback informs our pre-race recommendations for TF Sport’s three cars plus 13 Autosport’s entry. Then it comes down to the execution by each of the crews, engineers and drivers. Each team has proven they can win races, and we will be there in full force to support them in this year’s quest.”
What makes Le Mans special to you?
“Le Mans has always been the biggest race of the year, and competing there was one of the reasons Corvette Racing began. For me personally, Le Mans represents the pinnacle of endurance racing and all the emotion that comes with it. There was nothing like winning the race in 2023 – it was the highlight of my career – and there is nothing that hurt like the end of the 2022 race – it’s something I never want to repeat. Plus there is everything else that makes Le Mans special: the history, the circuit, Le Pesage, the parade through the town and the electricity that fills the paddock and city leading up to the race. There is nothing like it and I am so excited to get back this year.”
