LMP1

LMP1, short for Le Mans Prototype 1, was the highest and fastest class of endurance racing cars that competed in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship until it was replaced by the Le Mans Hypercar class in 2021.

These sports prototype race cars were designed to race for incredibly long distances—up to 24 hours straight—which required them to be both extremely fast and remarkably reliable. Unlike regular road cars or even Formula One cars, LMP1 machines needed to balance raw speed with the ability to survive a full day of racing without breaking down.

The LMP1 class was created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the organization that runs the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race. One key requirement was that all mechanical parts had to be covered by bodywork, giving these cars their distinctive enclosed, aerodynamic shape that looks quite different from open-wheel race cars.

What made LMP1 cars special was their advanced technology. Many top-level LMP1 cars used hybrid systems that combined traditional engines—usually turbocharged V6 or V8 motors—with electric motors. These hybrid systems would capture energy normally wasted during braking and store it in batteries or flywheels, then release that energy to provide extra power when accelerating. This technology made the cars faster and more fuel-efficient, which is crucial when racing for 24 hours.

The technical rules for LMP1 were relatively open, meaning manufacturers had freedom to experiment with different designs and technologies. Teams from major car companies like Porsche, Audi, and Toyota spent enormous budgets developing these machines. Famous examples include the Porsche 919 Hybrid, the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro, and the Toyota TS050 Hybrid.

LMP1 cars were built using exotic lightweight materials like carbon fiber for the main chassis structure, along with titanium and magnesium components. Hybrid versions had a minimum weight of 833 kilograms (about 1,836 pounds), while non-hybrid cars had to weigh at least 878 kilograms. The cars measured up to 4,650 millimeters long and between 1,800 and 1,900 millimeters wide.

While Formula One cars are faster around most race tracks, LMP1 prototypes were the fastest closed-wheel racing cars in the world. The key difference is endurance: F1 races cover less than 300 kilometers, while Le Mans Prototype races can exceed 5,300 kilometers in distance. This meant LMP1 cars had to be engineered for consistent performance over many hours rather than just pure qualifying speed.

The LMP1 era officially ended when the class was replaced by Le Mans Hypercars starting in the 2021 season, though some non-hybrid LMP1 cars were allowed to continue competing for two additional years. Today, these machines represent a significant chapter in motorsport history, showcasing some of the most advanced racing technology ever developed.