A field of 42 cars for the 2023 ELMS season

A field still well stocked in European Le Mans Series this season. The European ChampionshipEndurance unveiled a first version of the entry list for the year 2023. As in 2022, there are 42 cars registered in ELMS, with 18 LM P2s (including 11 Pro/Am), 12 LM P3s and 12 LMGTEs.

The LM P2 grid is full

In the LM P2 category, we first note the absence of the reigning champion team, Prema, which focuses solely on the championship WEC this season. Second in the 2022 financial year, Panis Racing will act as a contender for the crown. Currently, only Job van Uitert has been confirmed within the French team. Two other Tricolore teams are also registered in LM P2 in 2023, with IDEC Sport and Duqueine Team.

Among the 7 “Pro” crews, we will also find COOL Racing with the notable presence of the WEC world champion, José Maria Lopez. United Autosport will challenge for the title again with former Formula 2 driver Marino Sato, alongside Philip Hanson and Oliver Jarvis. Reigning champion in the Pro/Am, Racing Team Turkey will want to defend its crown with Louis Delétraz, titled in ELMS with Prema in 2022.

In the LM P3, COOL Racing is putting its title back on the line with Adrien Chila, Marcos Siebert and Alejandro Garcia. This year, their opponents for the Inter Europol Competition title will field a Ligier for Kai Askey, Sebastien Alvarez and Miguel Cristovao. Former champion of the category, DKR Engineering will field one of the two Duqueines, with Alexander Bukhantsov, James Winslow and Pedro Perino at the wheel. The other Duqueine is entered by WTM by Rinaldi Racing for Torsten Kratz, Leo Weiss and Nico Varrone.

Finally, among the GTEs, a total of twelve cars will compete in the ELMS 2023: five Ferrari, four Porsche and three Aston Martin. Alongside its entry into LMP2, Proton Competition will field three Porsche 911s, with reigning champion Christian Ried in the #77. For its fourth season, Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender will be partnered in the No. 93 with former World Endurance Championship GTE-Pro title winner Richard Lietz. Crowned in 2021, the Italian Iron Lynx team will enter a car in 2023, switching from Ferrari to Porsche.

The ELMS 2023 entry list

“This season promises to be exciting and intense”

“The spectators who will be present at the six rounds on the European Le Mans Series program will admire a record field, rejoices Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). With no fewer than 42 cars entered, this season promises to be exciting and intense. Big names will be on track in this series which continues to grow, year after year. See you on April 23, in Barcelona, ​​for the start of this historic season! »

“It’s wonderful to see so many teams entering the championship, welcomed Frédéric Lequien, CEO Le Mans Endurance Management. I would like to take this opportunity to greet the regulars, but also to welcome the teams and drivers who will be making their debut at the end of April in Barcelona. The fact that the field once again reaches the maximum number of competitors demonstrates that the European Le Mans Series offers competitors what they want: renowned circuits, a very high level field, and a prestigious title to win. »

The season will begin on April 19 and 20 at the Barcelona circuit (Spain) for the first tests of the year, before continuing with the 4 Hours of Barcelona (April 23, 2023), three days later.

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