European Le Mans Series Pre-Season Testing Begins at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
The 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) kicked off its pre-season testing today at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, featuring a record 47-car grid with an array of new and returning teams.
Key Updates:
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Notable Livery Changes:
- Defending champion Panis Racing debuted a green livery in collaboration with Forestier Racing on their renumbered #29 ORECA 07 – Gibson.
- TDS Racing revealed a new look for its #14 LMP2 Pro/Am entry, echoing its IMSA SportsCar Championship design.
- Vector Sport made a striking change from white to red for its dual LMP2 entries.
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Technical Developments:
- DKR Engineering showcased their new chassis, #140, for the first time in ELMS after its winter debut in the Asian Le Mans Series.
- The #37 ORECA of CLX Motorsport is now devoid of the Pure Rxcing branding.
- IDEC Sport transitioned to a predominantly white scheme with distinct black and red accents on their #18 and #28 entries.
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Driver Highlights:
- Mike Rockenfeller, a factory driver for Ford Racing, is set for his second LMP2 start in the #9 ORECA, marking a significant return to prototype racing.
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LMGT3 and LMP3 Updates:
- TF Sport, reigning champions, updated its livery to one reminiscent of its Asian Le Mans Series design.
- Several teams, including Rinaldi Racing and DKR Engineering, switched to Ligier chassis for LMP3 competition, reflecting a trend toward performance and design optimization in the category.
Testing action starts tommorrow at 09:00 CEST, paving the way for an exciting 2026 season ahead. The anticipation surrounds not just the competition but also the continued evolution of technology and design within the series.
