European Le Mans - 4 Hours of Silverstone

The 4 Hours of Silverstone represents a major endurance race in the European Le Mans Series calendar. This ELMS event takes place at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England, a venue known as the home of British motorsport. The circuit was built on a former World War II airfield and has hosted racing since 1948.

Silverstone Circuit measures 5.9 kilometers in length and features 18 corners. The track includes high-speed sweeping turns and hard braking zones. The Maggotts and Becketts section tests driver skill and car setup. Stowe Corner provides another challenge for the multi-class field. The circuit hosted the first Formula 1 World Championship race in 1950.

The 4 Hours of Silverstone features four classes racing together on track. LMP2 prototypes use a 560 horsepower Gibson V8 engine and compete for overall victory. The LMP2 Pro/Am class allows a mix of professional and amateur drivers. LMP3 cars provide a development platform with their 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engines. LMGT3 brings GT cars from manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren to the ELMS grid.

The most recent race at Silverstone marked the return of ELMS to this circuit after a six-year absence. The race featured 44 cars and 129 drivers from 28 nations. British teams and drivers had strong representation with 16 British drivers and 7 British teams competing. Over 110,000 spectators attended the three-day event.

IDEC Sport claimed victory in the overall classification with their Oreca prototype. Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert, and Daniel Juncadella shared driving duties. Weather conditions played a significant role as heavy rain affected the race. CLX Motorsport secured the LMP3 title at Silverstone. Algarve Pro Racing won the LMP2 Pro/Am class. Richard Mille by AF Corse took LMGT3 honors with their Ferrari entry.

Silverstone has deep connections to ELMS history. The circuit hosted the first race of the modern ELMS era in 2013. JOTA Sport won that initial event. The first four-hour ELMS race at Silverstone took place in 2014. Silverstone also hosted the first LMP3 race in 2015, introducing a new class that has become essential to the series.

Technical regulations govern each class in the ELMS. LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, and LMGT3 cars use Goodyear tires. LMP3 competitors run on Michelin tires. All cars must meet ACO and FIA regulations. These rules ensure competitive racing while maintaining safety standards.

The 4 Hours of Silverstone attracts top teams and drivers from international motorsport. Past winners of this race often return to compete. The entry list includes drivers with experience in Formula 1, Formula E, and other major championships. Teams bring extensive engineering expertise and professional operations to Silverstone.

This ELMS race combines endurance racing strategy with sprint race intensity. Teams must manage tire wear, fuel consumption, and driver changes over four hours. Weather conditions at Silverstone can change rapidly, adding another variable. The multi-class format creates constant action as faster prototypes navigate through GT traffic.

Silverstone offers excellent viewing opportunities for fans. The circuit layout allows spectators to see multiple corners from many vantage points. The venue provides modern facilities and easy access from major cities. The British racing atmosphere adds character to this ELMS event.

The European Le Mans Series uses the 4 Hours of Silverstone as a key event in its championship battle. Points earned here influence title outcomes across all four classes. The race serves as preparation for teams competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Many ELMS competitors use this series as a pathway to the World Endurance Championship.