ELMS Celebrates Milestone Race at Paul Ricard
Circuit Paul Ricard, France – The 4 Hours of Le Castellet marked a significant milestone as the 70th event in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) history on July 19, 2020. This venue has been a constant on the ELMS calendar since 2013, and its importance was underscored by the fact that it hosted two events in one season due to pandemic-related cancellations elsewhere.
Key Event Insights
- The 4 Hours of Le Castellet was complemented by a night race, the Le Castellet 240, held on August 29, 2020.
- Notably, while Portimao hosted two races in one season in 2023, both occurred during a single event due to the cancellation of Imola.
Technical Developments and Vehicle Updates
- The #82 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R, now sporting a full ELMS livery, has quickly adapted after the original chassis was destroyed in testing at Spa. The team has confirmed its use of this car for the entire ELMS season, replacing it with a new unit for the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
- The ORECA 07, a stalwart in the LMP2 category, showcases its 100th chassis at Paul Ricard. Significant for both its prowess on the track and its history, chassis #100 has been raced only once but represents a notable achievement in LMP2 engineering.
Circuit Configuration Changes
- The 2025 edition of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet will reintroduce a chicane on the Mistral straight, a feature not used since 2017. This modification aims to address tire wear issues that plagued the 2024 season.
Driver News
- Sophia Floersch returns to the paddock with Algarve Pro Racing, continuing her development in LMP2 after two podium finishes in prior seasons.
Upcoming Races and Fan Engagement
- The Michelin Le Mans Cup will see 42 cars compete in round two on May 3, while the Ligier European Series’ second round is scheduled for May 2-3, hosting 26 entries.
- Fans can follow qualifying and race streams on YouTube, enhancing accessibility and engagement with the events.
Conclusion
The 4 Hours of Le Castellet not only exemplifies the ongoing evolution of the ELMS but also highlights key regulatory and technical strategies designed to improve the competition. With significant driver participation and diverse series events, the future of endurance racing at Paul Ricard looks promising.
