European Le Mans Calendar

The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) is a premier endurance racing championship organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), featuring 4-hour races across some of Europe's most respected motorsport venues. The series serves as an important pathway to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with class winners and select runners-up earning automatic invitations to compete at La Sarthe. The 2026 season comprises six rounds, attracting a grid of 47 cars across four distinct categories and a diverse mix of drivers ranging from amateur Bronze-rated competitors to experienced professionals with Formula One and WEC backgrounds.

Championship Format and Race Weekend Structure

Each ELMS event follows a structured weekend format designed to maximize track time and competition. Race weekends include two 90-minute free practice sessions, a dedicated 30-minute Bronze Test session exclusively for FIA-ranked Bronze drivers, and 15-minute qualifying sessions for each category. Qualifying procedures vary by class: in LMP2 Pro/Am and LMGT3, only Bronze drivers may qualify the car, while LMP2 and LMP3 teams choose their qualifying driver. The main event is a 4-hour endurance race utilizing a rolling start format, where each driver must complete a minimum of 40 minutes behind the wheel. The winner in each category is determined by the car covering the greatest distance within the 4-hour window. Race neutralizations are managed through Full Course Yellow (FCY), Virtual Safety Car (VSC), or Safety Car (SC) procedures. Points are awarded based on race results, with an additional point awarded for pole position in each category.

Categories and Technical Specifications

The ELMS features four racing categories. LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) represents the top tier, utilizing high-performance closed-cockpit prototypes with carbon monocoque chassis from Dallara, Ligier Automotive, Oreca, or Riley Tech/Multimatic. All LMP2 cars use a spec Gibson Technology 4.2-liter V8 engine producing approximately 600bhp, with Cosworth Electronics as the standard electronics supplier and Goodyear tires. Driver lineups must include at least one FIA Silver-rated driver. The LMP2 Pro/Am class uses identical cars but requires at least one Bronze-rated driver in the crew. LMP3 serves as the entry-level prototype category, featuring third-generation cars from Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta, and Adess, powered by a Toyota 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing around 470 horsepower and running on Michelin tires. LMGT3 showcases GT3-specification cars based on production models from manufacturers including Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche, equipped with Goodyear tires and requiring crews with at least one Bronze driver and no more than one Gold or Platinum driver.

2026 Calendar and Venues

The 2026 ELMS calendar maintains the same prestigious venues as the previous season, beginning in April at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and concluding in October at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão. The schedule includes rounds at Circuit Paul Ricard, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and Silverstone Circuit. A strategic break in June allows teams to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The season also features an official pre-season Prologue test at Barcelona, with many race weekends accompanied by support series including the Michelin Le Mans Cup, Ligier European Series, and Eurocup-3.