Entry list for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans announced
Round 3 of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship will welcome 62 cars for the race on June 11-12 FIA WEC celebrates its 10th anniversary season
The 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans – the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship – will take place on 11–12 June 2022. Sixty-two cars and driver line-ups are invited to attend scrutineering for the big race.
The 2022 race, back in its usual mid-June slot, will make history for a number of reasons. For the very first time at Le Mans, the 62 cars will run on a 100% renewable fuel – Excellium Racing 100 – developed by TotalEnergies. This fuel should allow an immediate reduction of at least 65% of the racing cars’ CO2 emissions.
Toyota Gazoo Racing will be looking to repeat the success of last year when it triumphed in the inaugural 24 Hours of the Hypercar era. The Japanese marque will be eager to register a fifth consecutive outright win, but will face competition from US manufacturer Glickenhaus, fielding two cars, and French firm Alpine in the top class.
Many LMP2 teams are already honing their skills in preparation for the Centenary in 2023 where they will partner several top-notch makes planning to join the field. Before then, though, an intriguing battle for class honours awaits this June. The main challengers to current title-holder WRT will include Richard Mille Racing Team, banking on the talent of eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier, as well as AF Corse and the legendary Team Penske.
Porsche and Ferrari enjoyed a fascinating head-to-head in LMGTE Pro last year, but this time, they can expect fierce competition from Corvette Racing. With a bumper 23-car field, the LMGTE Am class also promises a particularly exciting race. Aston Martin, Porsche and Ferrari will engage in a merciless fight that has every chance of going to the wire.
Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l’Ouest: "What a line-up! After unveiling a packed programme of activities for race fans, we are delighted to announce a high-calibre 62-car field that promises a thrilling race in every class for the 99th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. June cannot come quickly enough! We are so looking forward to a great celebration of endurance racing and a week of exciting track action."
Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President: "The announcement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans entry list is always a big moment. We get to know the participants and it sets the tone for the following months that lead to the actual event. The entry itself is as strong as ever, both in terms of numbers and quality. This, together with the fact that the 2022 edition of the race is set to run in front of full grandstands, promises that on the 99th anniversary of the race we’re all going to be able to enjoy the 24 Hours of Le Mans at its best!”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, LMEM (Le Mans Endurance Management): "As the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 10th anniversary season, we are delighted to see our championship contenders joined by the best of the European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. There is superb strength in depth across the board in endurance racing at the present time, and it is safe to say that the 90th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an incredible spectacle.”
