2The organizers of 4H Le Mans have announced a virtual championship called the “Virtual Le Mans Series” in a French town. In this championship, the best manufacturers, teams, drivers, virtual drivers compete and professionals compete with simulator amateurs.
Perhaps this is an opportunity for Macau’s virtual pilots to become part of a real-world team, despite the abundance of Macau SARs, who cannot find the means or support to compete with the best.
The virtual series begins in Bahrain on September 17, with 4 hours in Monza on October 8, 6 hours in Spa Francorchamps on November 5, and 500 miles of Sebring on December 3, the first 2023. Le Mans virtual 24H on January 14th and 15th.
The announcement was made last Friday at the long-awaited press conference of the FIA ​​and the French Western Automobile Club (ACO). The press conference was held indoors at MMArena on the outskirts of the circuit.
Key representatives of the FIA, ACO, and the program under development were present. Pierre Fiyon, Richard Mille, Christophricard, FIA WEC Secretary Frederick Ricardo, and ACO Secretary Stephen Darak.
In the front row are FIA ​​Presidents Sheikh Mohammed Ben Sreyem, Jacky Ickx, Hughes de Shonak, Le Mans record holder, Tom Kristensen, the 100th anniversary of the 24-hour race, and more. There was a legend. Kristensen has won nine times at Le Mans.
The press conference covered a variety of topics, including regulatory changes, the Le Mans 2022, the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA ​​WEC News, the Green Development Program, and the upcoming Le Mans Series Virtual Championship. rice field.
Despite the delay in the development of the sports program, COVID-19 has a record number of participants this year. At the start of this year’s edition, there were 62 cars with 186 drivers and more than 1000 people involved.
In 2025, there will be new regulations that will come into force until 2030. It aims to reduce CO2 emissions and competition and vehicle costs. Balance the chassis and change all fuel to hydrogen.
FIA World Endurance Commission Chairman Richard Mille has announced that he is working to create a new class of vehicles based on the GT’s current structure. The new class may be an extension of the current GT-AM, but it has not yet been confirmed. This new category will be launched in 2024 and will be the LMGT type, although the denomination has not been determined. The new regulations aim to alleviate the manufacturer’s problem of having to adapt factories each time the regulations change. This corresponds to a simple vision inspired by the current GT3. This is associated with the small Le Mans kit, ending the limited series and allowing more private teams to compete.
From 2024, LMG T3 Premium will also be available. The philosophy remains the same: apply what was done in the Hypercar to the GT while controlling costs.
Kristensen spoke of the honor of being elected ambassador to Centenary, whose preparations have already begun. Kristensen emphasized the fact that this edition commemorates the 25th anniversary of Le Mans’ first lineup. “Le Mans is more than a passion and a lifestyle,” he said, and the goal of the 100th anniversary is to further develop the “spirit of Le Mans.” It inspires people, brings hundreds of thousands each year, and glues millions to TV screens. “They respect Le Mans. You live that dream, or you can’t stand on the podium.”
Frederick Requien has announced that he will extend his contract for the WEC tournament in Bahrain until 2027. He will also end this season after passing Monza and Fuji.
The main focus of the press conference is Mission H24 program. On May 14th, in Imola, after a lot of work to achieve homologation, the first fully hydrogen-powered car finished the race with acceptable performance and on June 8th in Lasalt. The speed record was updated. The development of hydrogen programs addresses the concerns of many and motorsports in general. This is expected by Richard Mille himself, president of the FIA, ACO, and Green GT.
As early as next week, there is the idea that private testing will begin to improve the performance of Mission H24 vehicles and see hydrogen prototypes competing in 2025. According to the forecast of the circular economy, there was a “hydrogen village” in Le Mans this year. With information on how this fuel works From the production of bioethanol, which is a catalytic process as the basis of fuel. By adopting these measures, WEC’s CO2 emissions can be reduced by 30%. This year, Total produced 100% renewable fuel named Excellium Racing 100%. This will reduce emissions by 65% ​​by 2022. Competitive motorsport is today’s laboratory for tomorrow’s solutions.
Further innovation in the 2022 edition allowed anyone to walk, skate, or cycle around the track on each curve, from the Tertre Rouge to the Porsche curve, on the eve of the race. Motorsport contributes to environmental awareness and health.
Sérgio de Almeida Correia, MDT, Le Mans
Sustainable race
Arear A powerful early advance, 2022 will be marked by Le Mans as a year of alternative energy. Not only did it cause cruel environmental damage in the last century, but sustainability is the watchword for all areas of service, industry, transportation and business. Motorsports are no exception, and it can be said that we are prioritizing the improvement of environmental conditions that have been passed down since the 20th century by significantly reducing the amount of fossil fuels used.
The Mission H24 prototype using hydrogen was recently run at La Sarthe. Maneuvered by Stephane Richelmi, he set a new record at Hownaudiere, which reaches 290.8 km / h. Non-fossil fuel vehicles have never been driven this fast.
In 2025, the FIA ​​President’s intentions, announced in 2018 and repeated at the FIA ​​/ ACO / WEC press conference here in Le Mans, are expected to drive competing vehicles entirely on electricity or hydrogen. These will be the cars of the future.
From car makers to tires and fuels, it seems that everyone is finally moving in the same direction. France’s largest tire manufacturer, with a long history of motorsport and multiple successes, Michelin currently manufactures very high-tech tires with a sustainable composition of 53%.
French fuel giant Total is on the same path in connection with the Mission H24 project. With a large profile and lots of information, it uses all the resources available to attract visitors and convey their message. This includes interactive simulators and games for visitors, Formula E, and hobbies related to wind energy.
This year’s edition of Peugeot is a temporary exhibition “Allure Le Mans” launched by Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club Duroest, Jean-Marc Finnott, president of Stellantis Motorsport, and Yannick Dalmas, the former winner of the 24-hour race. I participated in.
Sérgio de Almeida Correia, MDT, Le Mans
