ALe Mans Prototype (LMP) is a type ofsports prototype race car used in various races and championships, including the24 Hours of Le Mans,FIA World Endurance Championship,IMSA SportsCar Championship,European Le Mans Series, andAsian Le Mans Series. Le Mans Prototypes were created by theAutomobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The technical requirements for an LMP include bodywork covering all mechanical elements of the car. As of 2023,[update] there are two classes within Le Mans Prototypes, designatedLMP2 andLMP3.
While not as fast asopen-wheel Formula One cars around a track, the LMP1s were the fastest closed-wheel racing cars used in circuit racing. Le Mans Prototypes are considered a class above production-basedgrand tourer cars, which compete alongside them insports car racing. Later, LMP1 designs includedhybrid cars that use electric motors to assist acceleration.[1]
The Le Mans Prototype LMP1 class has been replaced byLe Mans Hypercars in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the2021 season. Non-hybrid LMP1 cars were eligible to be "grandfathered" for two more seasons and compete alongside the new class for the 2021 to 2022 seasons.[2][3]
Starting from the 2023 season of WEC and IMSA SportsCar Championship, Le Mans Hypercars are joined byLe Mans Daytona h (LMDh) cars.[4][5] These two kinds of prototypes will form the top class of endurance racing:Hypercar in WEC andGrand Touring Prototype (GTP) in IMSA.[6][7]
Le Mans Prototypes have used various names depending on the series in which they compete. TheFIA's equivalent cars were referred to asSports Racers (SR) orSports Racing Prototypes (SRP). The AmericanIMSA GT Championship termed their carsWorld Sports Cars (WSC), while the short-livedUnited States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) used the classicCan-Am (CA) name for their prototypes. Since 2004, most series have switched to referring to these cars asLe Mans Prototypes. TheAmerican Le Mans Series, the successor to the IMSA GT Championship and the predecessor of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, officially referred to the cars simply asPrototypes (P1, P2, or PC).[citation needed] An LMP is commonly referred to as aLe Mans car in the media.[8]
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The first use of what would become Le Mans Prototypes was at the1992 24 Hours of Le Mans. In an attempt to increase the number of entrants beyond the small field ofGroup C competitors that theWorld Sportscar Championship had to offer, olderPorsche 962s were allowed entry in Category 3. To further increase the size of the field, small open-cockpit race cars using production road car engines which were raced in small national championships were allowed in Category 4.[9]
Later, ACO announced its intentions to completely replace the Group C cars withLe Mans Prototypes. Two classes were created, with LMP1s running large displacement custom-built engines that were usually turbocharged, and LMP2s using the smaller displacement production-based engines. Both classes were required to have open cockpits. However, LMP1 cars that year were just former Group C cars, some still with closed cockpits (Toyota 94C-V,Courage C32,Kremer K8 Spyder,Porsche 962C GTI, ALD C289 and Alpa LM). At the same time, the IMSA GT Championship announced the end of their closed cockpit GTP and Lights classes, deciding as well to replace them with a single open-cockpit class ofWorld Sports Cars equivalent to LMP1.
This formula continued up to 1996, with many manufacturers embracing the LMP and WSC classes, includingFerrari,Porsche, andMazda. In 1997, the first European series based around Le Mans Prototypes was launched, known as the "International Sports Racing Series". Using classes similar to LMP1/WSC and LMP2, these cars were known as "SR1" and "SR2" by the FIA. 1998 saw the creation of another series of Le Mans Prototypes, with the new United States Road Racing Championship attempting to break away from the IMSA GT Championship. To differ from IMSA'S WSC class, the USRRC named their open-cockpit prototypes "Can-Am" in an attempt to resurrect the sportscar championship of the 1970s. However, the USRRC collapsed before the end of 1999, with the series becoming theRolex Sports Car Series chose to use the FIA's SR1 and SR2 formula instead.
1998 saw a great expansion for the ACO's LMP classes. Following the cancellation of the IMSA GT Championship at the end of 1998, the ACO allowed for the creation of the American Le Mans Series. This series used the same class structure as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, meaning it was the first championship to use the LMP name. At the same time, the ACO greatly altered their LMP classes. The smaller LMP2 class were briefly eliminated, while a new class of closed-cockpit prototypes was allowed in, known as "LMGTP" (Le Mans grand touring prototype). These cars were evolutions of production-based road cars that the ACO considered too advanced and too fast to fall under the GT class regulations, forcing the ACO to promote them as prototypes.
In 2017, in order to limit the costs, FIA introduced a new set of LMP2 regulations, which will be locked in through 2020, aiming for a significant power increase, to the range of 150horsepower (which is expected to lead to a four-second decrease in lap time at Le Mans).Gibson Technology is the exclusive engine supplier for LMP2, producing a four-litre normally-aspirated V8.[10]
Biofuels, specifically petrol with 10% ethanol andbiodiesel (BTL), are allowed in both LMP1 and LMP2 categories.[citation needed]
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The fuel tank size and minimum weight for non-hybrid cars was subject to adjustment to reduce the difference in performance between hybrid and non-hybrid cars.[citation needed]
There were no limits on the number ofcylinders for any type of engine.[citation needed]
Bodywork was required to cover all mechanical elements of the car, so that they couldn't be visible when the car is viewed directly from the front, side, or top.[citation needed]
The LMP1 cars were generally the most powerful, with higher straight-line speeds.[citation needed]
The LMP1 category was retired at the end of the 2020 season, replaced by a new top class of the endurance racing:Hypercar.[11]
| Hybrid | Non-hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum weight | 878 kilograms (1,936 lb) | 833 kilograms (1,836 lb) |
| Maximum length | 4,650 millimetres (183 in) | |
| Minimum width | 1,800 millimetres (71 in) | |
| Maximum width | 1,900 millimetres (75 in) | |
| Engine displacement | no limit | max. 5.5 litres (340 in3) |
| Fuel tank capacity for petrol engines | 62.3 litres (16.5 US gal) | 75 litres (20 US gal) |
| For diesel engines | 50.1 litres (13.2 US gal) | |
| Maximum wheel diameter | 28 inches (710 mm) | |
| Maximum wheel width | 14 inches (360 mm) | |
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From 2017, in order to limit the costs, FIA introduced a new set of regulations, which will be locked in through 2027.[13] The rules allow a significant power increase (150 horsepower) which is expected to lead to a four-second decrease in lap time at Le Mans. Gibson Technology is the exclusive engine supplier, producing a 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8.[14] In seasons 2017 through 2020, the engine produced about 600 bhp.[14]
Dallara,Onroak Automotive (Ligier),Oreca and the joint-ventureRiley Tech/Multimatic were selected by FIA as the four exclusive chassis constructors, which must be closed-cockpit designs.[15]
Before the start of the 2021 season LMP2 cars have been slowed down to ensure the necessary lap time difference between the LMP2 and a new class—Hypercar. In the original version of the new ruleset, revealed in November 2020, only the power of the Gibson engine has been reduced—to 560 bhp. Right before the start of the season, the cars were further weakened, by trimming an additional 20 bhp to a total of 540 bhp. The minimum weight of the cars has also been increased by 20 kg and has been set at 950 kg. Furthermore, mirroring the Hypercar category, a single aero kit has been made mandatory across the whole season and is limited to the Le Mans specification in the WEC; the ELMS teams have retained the right to switch between the aero kits.[16]
| Minimum weight | 950 kilograms (2,090 lb) |
| Maximum length | 4,750 millimetres (187 in) |
| Overall width | 1,800 millimetres (71 in) (min) to 1,900 millimetres (75 in) (max) |
| Maximum Height | 1,050 millimetres (41 in) |
| Engine | 4.2 litres (260 in3) V8 naturally-aspirated petrol engine (homologated) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 75 litres (20 US gal) |
| Maximum wheel diameter | 690 millimetres (27 in) front, 715 millimetres (28.1 in) rear |
| Maximum wheel width | 342 millimetres (13.5 in) front, 362 millimetres (14.3 in) rear |
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LMP3 is an entry-level prototype class intended for introducing young drivers and new teams toendurance racing before they progress to the higher classes of prototype racing, LMP2 and ultimately Hypercar.[17] LMP3 uses closed-cockpit chassis, which can be built by any licensed constructor, with costs capped for the chassis, engine, and generational upgrade kits.
Cars eligible for the 2015–2019 first-generation ruleset were theGinetta-Juno P3,Ligier JS P3,Norma M30,ADESS-03, and theAve-Riley AR-2. The cars were eligible in a number of series, such as the Asian Le Mans Series, the European Le Mans Series, as well as the V de V Endurance Series and theIMSA Prototype Challenge.[18] A number of championships for the class have also been created, such as the FRD LMP3 series and the British LMP3 Cup.[19][20][21] First-generation cars were powered by a5.0-litre normally-aspirated Nissan VK50 V8 engine, producing 310 kW (420 hp).[22] Minimum weight was originally 900 kilograms (1,984 lb), before being increased to 930 kilograms (2,050 lb) due to an unexpectedly heavy powertrain package.[23][24]
A 2nd Generation ruleset was introduced for 2020, with new cars introduced: theGinetta G61-LT-P3,Ligier JS P320,Duqueine D-08, and theADESS-03 Evo. These cars can be built from its predecessors using an upgrade kit.[25] The new LMP3 prototypes are used in Asian Le Mans Series,Michelin Le Mans Cup,IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge,[26] European Le Mans Series, and Prototype Cup Germany.[27] For the second generation, engines were upgraded to the5.6-litre Nissan VK56, increasing horsepower to 340 kW (455 hp).[28]
For 2025, the engines used in the class are set to be replaced with atwin-turbocharged 3.5-litre Toyota V35A with modified turbochargers and a dry sump oiling system, bringing about a power increase to 350 kW (470 hp).[29] The same gearbox is retained with the same gear ratios, but the bell housing has been changed to accommodate the new engine.[30] Due to the new engine and cooling package, the weight limit was increased to 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lb), necessitating a crash test.[29] New cars will be introduced: theGinetta G61-LT-P3 Evo,Ligier JS P325,Duqueine D09, and theADESS AD25.[31]
| Specification | Gen 1 | Gen 2 | Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum weight | 930 kilograms (2,050 lb) | 950 kilograms (2,094 lb) | 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lb) |
| Maximum length | 4,650 millimetres (183.1 in) | ||
| Overall width | 1,800–1,900 millimetres (70.9–74.8 in) | ||
| Maximum height | 1,050 millimetres (41.3 in) | ||
| Engine | 5.0L V8 Nissan VK50 | 5.6L V8 Nissan VK56 | 3.5L TT V6 Toyota V35A |
| Power | 420 hp (313 kW; 426 PS) | 455 hp (339 kW; 461 PS) | 470 hp (350 kW; 477 PS) |
| Transmission | Xtrac P1152 6-speed sequential | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 100 litres (26 US gal) | ||
| Maximum wheel diameter | 28 inches (710 mm) | ||
| Maximum wheel width | 13 inches (330 mm) | ||
LMPC (Le Mans Prototype Challenge) was an earlier entry level class, introduced in 2009, consisting of competitors running identical Oreca FLM09 cars.[33] The class was dropped in European Le Mans Series in2014. As the cost of running an LMPC team was found to be comparable to that for an LMP2 team, the class was dropped after the 2017 season in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.[34]
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