24h Le Mans
A record field of 27 prototypes will compete in the LMP2 class at the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans (11-12 June 2022). The high standard of the teams and the prowess of the drivers involved makes predicting the final podium no easy task.
#1 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Lilou Wadoux (FRA) – Sébastien Ogier (FRA) – Charles Milesi (FRA)
Last year, this team ran with an all-female line-up. Unfortunately, they had to retire after being hit by an LMP2 rival. Never afraid to break with tradition, Richard Mille Racing Team is writing a new chapter in its story with a mixed line-up this time. It comprises Lilou Wadoux, the first woman to chalk up an Alpine Elf Europa Cup win, nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier, and Charles Milesi, LMP2 class winner at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans with WRT.
#3 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Laurents Hörr (DEU) – Jean Glorieux (BEL) – Alexandre Cougnaud (FRA)
DKR Engineering, the 2021 European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion, has already competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was in 2013 with a Lola-Judd that placed 11th in the LMP2 class standings. The Luxembourg-based team has undergone several days of testing in preparation for the big race. The talented Laurents Hörr will share the wheel with Belgian Jean Glorieux and Frenchman Alexandre Cougnaud who will be competing in his first 24 Hours after participating in the 2018 Test Day with Graff Racing-SO24.
#5 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Dane Cameron (USA) – Emmanuel Collard (FRA) – Felipe Nasr (BRA)
Roger Penske’s team is competing in the World Endurance Championship for the very first time this season. This LMP2 campaign will give Team Penske an opportunity to test the temperature of the Championship’s races, rules and circuits before taking the plunge with Porsche in the Hypercar class in 2023. The American outfit has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans just once, in 1971 with a Ferrari 512 M. Roger Penske has made no secret of his desire to return ever since! Team Penske is therefore on a learning curve, and there is no better class than LMP2 to acquire precious experience. The car will be driven by Dane Cameron (33), IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship winner in 2016 and 2019, veteran Emmanuel Collard (51) who has 24 Le Mans starts under his belt, and Felipe Nasr (29), who raced in 40 grands prix with Sauber F1 Team in 2015 and 2016.
#9 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Robert Kubica (POL) – Louis Delétraz (CHE) – Lorenzo Colombo (ITA)
Prema has earned worldwide recognition for its expertise in single-seater races. The team is, however, a novice when it comes to endurance and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. To make a go of this new project, Prema has sought support from Iron Lynx, an outfit that has enjoyed several seasons of LMGTE Am success. Prema Orlen Team is relying on a talented trio of drivers including the reigning European Le Mans Series champions, Robert Kubica and Louis Delétraz. Promising Italian Lorenzo Colombo completes the line-up. The #9 Oreca has made a tremendous start to the 2022 European Le Mans Series, winning the first two rounds.
#10 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Nico Müller (CHE) – Ryan Cullen (GBR) – Sébastien Bourdais (FRA)
This new, Silverstone-based team is managed by former JOTA director Gary Holland. It has hired some serious experience in its quest for LMP2 success. The #10 Oreca will be shared by two-time DTM vice-champion Nico Müller, Ryan Cullen (three starts) and Sébastien Bourdais (16 starts).
#13 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Philippe Cimadomo (FRA) – Mathias Beche (CHE) – Tijmen van der Helm (NLD) – Pro/Am
To mark its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, TDS Racing has joined up with the Michel Vaillant brand. This project will spawn a graphic novel due to be published in 2023 to coincide with the centenary of the legendary race and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jean Graton, the French author and illustrator who created comic book hero Michel Vaillant in 1957. The driver line-up will be spearheaded by Mathias Beche (seven starts). He will be joined by 18-year-old Dutchman Tijmen van der Helm, seen at the 24 Hours of Daytona with G-Drive Racing by APR, and Philippe Cimadomo, a former 24-Hour Series championship racer.
#22 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Phil Hanson (GBR) – Filipe Albuquerque (PRT) – Will Owen (USA)
#23 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Alex Lynn (GBR) – Oliver Jarvis (GBR) – Joshua Pierson (USA)
After dominating the LMP2 class for several seasons, United Autosports USA was outshone by Team WRT last year. Fourth in class at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Anglo-American team will be out for revenge. The #22 car driven by Phil Hanson (seven starts), Filipe Albuquerque (eight starts) and Will Owen (four starts) is favourite, but the #23 cannot be counted out after winning the opening round of the 2022 FIA WEC season, the 1000 Miles of Sebring. Alex Lynn (five starts) and 2017 LMP2 winner Oliver Jarvis will be ably backed by 16-year-old American Joshua Pierson, the youngest driver on this year’s grid, who impressed in the Asian Le Mans Series.
#24 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Rodrigo Sales (USA) – Matt Bell (GBR) – Ben Hanley (GBR) – Pro/Am
Nielsen Racing was invited to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the back of its LMP2 win in the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series. This will be the team’s second appearance, having placed 16th in class in 2020. The architects of the Asian Le Mans Series title will share the wheel of the #24 Oreca: Rodrigo Sales (one start), Matt Bell (one start) and Ben Hanley (five starts). With this line-up, the British team hopes to challenge for the Pro/Am title.
#27 – Ligier JS P217-Gibson – Christophe Cresp (FRA) – Michael Jensen (DNK) – Steven Palette (FRA) – Pro/Am
This French team based in Périgueux picked up its golden ticket for the 24 Hours by scooping the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 title. It has also competed in Road To Le Mans on four occasions but, this time, the race lasts a touch longer than 55 minutes! CD Sport has every intention of crossing the finish line with its Ligier JS P217-Gibson driven by Christophe Cresp and Michael Jensen, two racers with solid LMP3 experience. They will be captained by Steven Palette who has just won three titles in a row in three different disciplines: the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint, the FFSA French Touring Car Championship, and the Asian Le Mans Series with CD Sport.
#28 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Oliver Rasmussen (DNK) – Edward Jones (GBR) – Jonathan Aberdein (ZAF)
#38 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Roberto González (MEX) – António Félix da Costa (PRT) – Will Stevens (GBR)
Last year, Team WRT shaded the class win over JOTA by a mere seven-tenths of a second, so the sights of the British outfit will undoubtedly be set on the top spot this time. Sharing the wheel of the #28 Oreca will be three FIA WEC novices: Oliver Rasmussen, Edward Jones and Jonathan Aberdein. Rasmussen and Jones have transferred from single-seater series, whereas Aberdein competed in the 2021 European Le Mans Series with United Autosports, winning the 4 Hours of Portimão. Meanwhile, in the #38, Roberto González and António Félix da Costa will team up once again. Former Panis Racing driver Will Stevens will replace Anthony Davidson, now enjoying a well-earned retirement.
#30 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Richard Bradley (GBR) – Guillermo Rojas (MEX) – Reshad de Gerus (FRA)
Gilles Duqueine’s team is embarking on its fourth participation in the race. Ninth in LMP2 last year, Duqueine Team intends to be in the mix for a podium place – and even the top spot! Guillermo “Memo” Rojas (six starts) was in that 2021 line-up and is back for more. Richard Bradley has returned to the team he left in 2019. To complete the trio, the team is banking on the budding talent of Reshad de Gerus (17), twice runner-up in the French Formula Four Championship (2018 and 2019).
#31 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Sean Gelael (IDN) – Robin Frijns (NLD) – René Rast (DEU)
#32 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Rolf Ineichen (CHE) – Mirko Bortolotti (ITA) – Dries Vanthoor (BEL)
Team WRT upset the applecart in 2021 with a clean sweep of the silverware in its début endurance season, winning the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams, and the European Le Mans Series. A tough task awaits the Belgian outfit as repeating such success at the classic French marathon is never an easy feat, especially as the competition will be even stronger this year. In the #31 car, Robin Frijns is the only survivor from the 2021 line-up with Charles Milesi now defending the colours of Richard Mille Racing Team, and Ferdinand Habsburg switching to the #41 Oreca of Realteam By WRT. Frijns will therefore team up with former JOTA driver Sean Gelael, and René Rast (three starts). Driving duties in the #32 will be shared between Rolf Ineichen (one start), Mirko Bortolotti and Dries Vanthoor (two starts). The team returned to the top step of the podium at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the 2022 FIA WEC season, with the #31 Oreca.
#34 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Jakub Śmiechowski (POL) – Alex Brundle (GBR) – Esteban Gutiérrez (MEX)
#43 – Oreca 07-Gibson – David Heinemeier Hansson (DNK) – Fabio Scherer (CHE) – Pietro Fittipaldi (BRA)
Fifth in class last year, Inter Europol Competition is doubling its chances of playing a leading role this time round by fielding two Oreca 07s. The #34 – a FIA WEC full-season entry – will be driven by Jakub Śmiechowski (three starts) and Alex Brundle (seven starts). Rookie Esteban Gutiérrez, the former Sauber Formula One driver, will complete the trio. The #43 car is running in the 2022 European Le Mans Series. David Heinemeier Hansson (seven starts), Fabio Scherer (one start) and Pietro Fittipaldi, the former Haas F1 Team reserve driver, will share the wheel.
#35 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Jean-Baptiste Lahaye (FRA) – Matthieu Lahaye (FRA) – François Heriau (FRA) – Pro/Am
After shining in the 2021 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro/Am class in which it finished third, Ultimate has stepped up to the world stage. The Brittany-based team is all set to contest its first 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Oreca 07 is managed by the Tech1 Racing structure of Simon and Sarah Abadie, together with former Formula One star, Olivier Panis. Matthieu Lahaye (five starts) will take turns at the wheel with his brother Jean-Baptiste and also François Heriau.
#37 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Yifei Ye (CHN) – Ricky Taylor (USA) – Niklas Krütten (DEU)
This Swiss team is about to take on its second 24 Hours of Le Mans having finished eighth in LMP2 in 2020. Last year, Cool Racing was LMP3 runner-up behind DKR Engineering in the European Le Mans Series. For the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the team has recruited Yifei Ye, European Le Mans Series champion with Team WRT. He will share the wheel of the #37 Oreca with Ricky Taylor (six starts) and Niklas Krütten, who will be making his Le Mans début after a stunning LMP3 season.
#39 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Eric Trouillet (FRA) – Sébastien Page (CHE) – David Droux (CHE) – Pro/Am
Graff Racing is a regular on the 24 Hours of Le Mans grid with nine appearances. To continue its progress and improve on its second place in 2018, Pascal Rauturier and Éric Trouillet’s team has a Pro/Am victory in its sights. The team won this very title in the Asian Le Mans Series. While Trouillet has one Le Mans start to his name, Sébastien Page and David Droux will be making their début. Graff Racing will be counting on their consistency to put in a solid performance.
#41 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Rui Andrade (PRT) – Ferdinand Habsburg (AUT) – Norman Nato (FRA)
Team WRT is fielding a third car – but in Realteam colours. Like the #31 and #32 Orecas, the #41 inherits a powerful line-up. Rui Andrade, who appeared for G-Drive Racing last year, will partner 2021 LMP2 winner Ferdinand Habsburg, and Jaguar’s Formula E test driver Norman Nato (four starts).
#44 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Miroslav Konôpka (SVK) –Bent Viscaal (NLD) – Tristan Vautier (FRA) – Pro/Am
With its fluorescent yellow livery, Arc Bratislava’s #44 Oreca will be hard to miss! The team is preparing for its fourth 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance after finishing 15th in the LMP2 class in last year’s race. Breaking into the Top 10 would appear to be a realistic objective this time. Team owner Miroslav Konôpka is one of the drivers. He is backed by Dutchman Bent Viscaal, and French racer Tristan Vautier, a Le Mans rookie despite being a seasoned IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaigner.
#45 – Oreca 07 Gibson – Steven Thomas (USA) – James Allen (AUS) – René Binder (AUT)
#47 – Oreca 07 Gibson – Sophia Flörsch (DEU) – John Falb (USA) – Jack Aitken (GBR)
The Portuguese team is preparing to compete in its sixth 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its best showing to date was seventh in class in 2020. Algarve Pro Racing has got its 2022 European Le Mans Series campaign off to a bright start with second place at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. It will be hoping its pair of Oreca 07s will put in a similar performance over the much longer distance at Le Mans. The #45 car sees rookie Steven Thomas line up with James Allen and René Binder (four starts each). A mixed crew will share the wheel of the #47 car with Sophia Flörsch, formerly of Richard Mille Racing Team, joining John Falb (three starts) and Jack Aitken (three starts).
#48 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Paul Lafargue (FRA) – Paul Loup Chatin (FRA) – Patrick Pilet (FRA)
For many a racing team, taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a dream. Idec Sport is about to fulfil that dream for the sixth year running! Last year, an incident on the opening lap saw the team relegated to last spot. However, it steadily climbed to a respectable sixth place in the LMP2 ranks – a remarkable achievement. Patrice Lafargue’s team was the fastest qualifier in 2018 and will once again be looking to clinch pole position. The experienced Patrick Pilet (10 starts), who joined as a last-minute replacement in 2020, is now in his second season with the team. He is again sharing the wheel with Paul Lafargue (five starts) and Paul Loup Chatin (seven starts).
#65 – Oreca 07-Gibson – Julien Canal (FRA) – Nicolas Jamin (FRA) – Job van Uitert (NLD)
Founded in 2016, Panis Racing has demonstrated that it is capable of top-level performances with two consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans podiums (third in 2020 and 2021). Can it go one (or two) better in 2022? The Toulouse-based outfit is giving itself every chance with a top-notch driver line-up. Frenchmen Julien Canal (12 starts) and Nicolas Jamin (three starts) have welcomed aboard speedy Dutch racer Job van Uitert (three starts).
#83 – Oreca 07-Gibson – François Perrodo (FRA) – Nicklas Nielsen (DNK) – Alessio Rovera (ITA) – Pro/Am
AF Corse has been a major-league player in LMGTE Pro and Am for some time. The team has committed to this LMP2 campaign in preparation for the Ferrari Hypercar programme in 2023. The last LMP2 appearance by AF Corse was in the 2019-20 season with the Dallara-Gibson fielded under the Cetilar Racing banner. The driver line-up comprises François Perrodo (eight starts), Ferrari works driver Nicklas Nielsen (two starts) and Alessio Rovera (two starts).
Top 5 in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams before the 24 Hours of Le Mans:
Top 4 in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Pro/Am Teams:
Check out the entry list for the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans.
