24h Le Mans
All you need to know about the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) press conference on Friday 12 June, the eve of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The FIA, the ACO and IMSA revealed the thinking behind the 2030 Hypercar regulations. Its four fundamental principles are intended to contribute to perpetuating the success of the top class: a single 2-wheel drive technical platform (the big change), enhanced visual identity for each brand, better controlled budgets to guarantee accessibility, and the introduction of new technology with the hydrogen project.
In short, a single platform means the same technical regulations apply across the board. Constructors will be free to develop their cars in-house or enlist the help of a chassis builder, as in the current LMDh model. Hybrid systems may be purchased from a designated supplier or self-developed, as long as they follow the same specifications. Homologation will be valid for at least five years, with no performance evolution. The changes are the result of a common FIA, ACO and IMSA vision, enacted on both sides of the Atlantic.
For the first time in the history of endurance racing, the ACO and the FIA have formally agreed on the use of hydrogen at the discipline’s highest level. H2 Hypercars will follow the basic 2030 regulations in terms of powertrain and hybrid system, with a few particularities: minimum weight of 1,200 kg, specific tyres and an Equivalence of Technology scheme intended to prevent major differences in performance, without conceding any advantages to H2. The budding new technology will be able to unfurl within a totally fair sporting framework.
Frédéric Lequien, General Manager of Le Mans Endurance Management unveiled the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship: nine rounds spread over four continents, preceded by the official prologue in Qatar (21–22 March). The season proper opens with the Qatar 1812 km on 27 March, then the championship goes to Italy for the 6 Hours of Imola on 11 April, to the United Kingdom for the 6 Hours of Silverstone on 25 April — a return saluted by Stuart Pringle, CEO of the British circuit —, then to Belgium for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on 15 May, and France for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (12–13 June). The championship continues with the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo (11 July), Lone Star Le Mans at COTA (12 September), the 6 Hours of Fuji (26 September) and finally, the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain (6 November). The agreement between the FIA WEC and Bahrain has also been extended through 2036.
The ACO also announced the introduction of the Asian Le Mans Cup and the Hypercar driver line-ups in the Asian Le Mans Series. Each team should be composed of one bronze driver, another bronze or silver driver and a Gold or Platinum professional driver.
The ACO dedicated a section of its presentation to the opening of its new museum, M24, ten days ago. In its 120th anniversary year, two years after the circuit having been voted France’s favourite monument, the ACO extends its cultural reach, with support from Richard Mille. The club also presented its new Pit Building project, destined to transform the circuit infrastructure.
The ACO highlighted the key personalities of this year’s race:
The ACO 6th Sustainable Endurance Award by DHL awardees were Cadillac (Hypercar), TDS Racing (LMP2) and WRT (LMGT3). Ferrari won the Spectators’ prize. Felix Heger, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding DECH officially announced the renewal of the partnership between DHL and the FIA WEC. The core of the commitment remains innovation, as illustrated by the extension of the partnership with Goodyear, LMGT3 tyre supplier until 2029. The Impact Challenge in which spectators complete missions in line with the ACO’s CSR commitments via the 24 Experience App is also prolonged.
The ACO confirmed the participation of two more manufacturers in 2027: Ford and McLaren. Mark Rushbrook (Ford) and Zak Brown (McLaren) joined the group on stage to say how much they are looking forward to competing in the world’s greatest endurance race.
See you at 16:00 CET tomorrow for the Start of the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans!
