European Le Mans Series Returns to Silverstone
Date: [Insert Date]
Location: Silverstone, UK
The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) makes its anticipated return to Silverstone this weekend, the first since 2019, welcoming the Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series for the first time in conjunction with ELMS races. This marks a new chapter as previous events featured a double-header with the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Weather Challenges
Unfortunately, the race weekend is plagued by adverse weather conditions, with frequent showers forecasted. This has led to the cancellation of aerial coverage from the Goodyear blimp.
United Autosports Hospitality
In a notable initiative, United Autosports has transformed a large hospitality structure into a “Friends and Family” zone, hosting over 300 staff and their guests. Each employee has received four weekend passes to enjoy hospitality services and access to garage tours.
Featured Cars
A highlight of the weekend includes the presence of a McLaren Hypercar show car, which United Autosports is set to operate in the FIA WEC starting in 2027. Alongside it, a Jaguar XJR8 will perform demo laps on Sunday morning, reinforcing the blend of historical and modern racing heritage.
Michelin Le Mans Cup Updates
In the Michelin Le Mans Cup, last-minute changes include the withdrawal of Motopark’s Mercedes AMG from the GT3 class. Notable driver line-up adaptations in LMP3 include an all-American team for Inter Europol and a return for 2025 ELMS champion Gael Julien, who joins High Class Racing.
Testing Insights
The open test sessions on Thursday saw VDS Panis Racing’s #48 ORECA emerge as the fastest in the ELMS, with a lap time of 1:44.147 recorded by Charles Milesi. CLX Racing’s #17 Ligier dominated the LMP3 category, while TF Sport’s Charlie Eastwood claimed the fastest LMGT3 time. In the Le Mans Cup, Hadrien David of R-ace GP set the benchmark with a 1:54.251 lap during the afternoon session.
Community Engagement
For enthusiasts, there remains an opportunity to participate in the ‘Tour de 4’ run around Silverstone’s GP circuit, benefitting cancer charities endorsed by Sir Chris Hoy.
Upcoming Sessions
- ELMS Morning Times → [Data Link]
- ELMS Afternoon Times → [Data Link]
- LMC Morning Times → [Data Link]
- LMC Afternoon Times → [Data Link]
For an expert audience, this recap highlights essential updates and insights as the motorsports community gears up for another action-packed weekend at Silverstone.
