47 cars expected in the European Le Mans Series in 2026

The European ChampionshipEndurance (European Le Mans Series) is preparing for a 2026 season with the largest grid in its history: 47 cars will be entered, divided between the LMP2 (11), LMP2 Pro/Am (12), LMP3 (10) and LMGT3 (14) categories.

The championship's premier category will once again showcase a particularly high level of competition. Panis Racing, the 2025 champion, is joining forces with Forestier Racing to become Forestier Racing by Panis in 2026. Reigning runners-up and class winners at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jakub Smiechowski, Tom Dillmann, and Nick Yelloly, will return with Inter Europol Competition, which will field a second Oreca-Gibson.

IDEC Sport continues its two-car program, one of which is in partnership with Genesis Magma Racing with Jamie Chadwick still at the wheel, while Algarve Pro Racing, the 2023 champion, will field a single Oreca. Theodor Jensen and Adrien Closmenil, the 2025 LMP3 champions, move up to LMP2 with CLX Motorsport.

Proton Competition, United Autosports, Vector Sport and Nielsen Racing complete an 11-car LMP2 grid, promising intense battles from the opening round.

LMP2 Pro/Am: a rapidly expanding platform

The rapidly growing LMP2 Pro/Am category will expand from 8 to 12 cars in 2026. Reigning champions AO by TF return with an unchanged driver lineup, led by Louis Delétraz, aiming for a fifth title. ELMSAF Corse, the 2024 champion, welcomes back François Perrodo, while Algarve Pro Racing fields, among others, Malthe Jakobsen. Richard Verschoor will drive for Duqueine.

Vector Sport enters a second Oreca with Pietro Fittipaldi, DKR Engineering welcomes Jean Glorieux, two-time Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 champion, and TDS Racing makes its return. Nielsen Racing, United Autosports, Rossa Racing by Virage, CLX Motorsport, and Proton Competition complete a particularly strong field.

The LMP3 grid will consist of 10 cars, including nine Ligier JS P325s.Toyota and a Duqueine D09 entered by R-ace GP, Michelin Le Mans Cup champion. CLX Motorsport will defend its title with a Brazilian crew, while DKR Engineering, Eurointernational, Ultimate, Rinaldi Racing, Team Virage, Racing Spirit of Léman and M Racing will also be present.

LMGT3: six manufacturers represented

The LMGT3 category will feature 14 cars and six manufacturers. 2025 champions TF Sport will defend their title with a Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R. The field will also include six Classic Ferrari for sale 296 EVO, three Porsche 911 GT3 R, two Classic Mercedes for sale-AMG, as well as a McLaren 720S Evo and a Aston Martin Vantage.

Iron Lynx will field two Mercedes-AMGs, Proton Competition two Porsches, while United Autosports, Racing Spirit of Léman, AF Corse, Spirit of Race, GR Racing and Kessel Racing will complete a very competitive grid.

For Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO, this record-breaking lineup illustrates " the exceptional vitality of the ELMS and its central role in the endurance pyramid The same sentiment was echoed by Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, who welcomed the championship. reaching new heights ».

The 2026 European Le Mans Series season will begin on April 12 in Barcelona, ​​before passing through Le Castellet, Imola, Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, to end in Portimão in October.

Discover the list of entrants for the 2026 ELMS HERE