WEC LMP2 Class

WEC LMP2 Class

Definition and Positioning
The LMP2 class, short for Le Mans Prototype 2, is the second-tier prototype category sitting directly below Hypercar (formerly LMP1) in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dedicated exclusively to independent and privateer outfits with factory works teams barred from entry, it serves as a vital stepping stone within the endurance racing pyramid.

Core Characteristics
The defining hallmark of the LMP2 category lies in its standardised technical regulations. Unlike the premier Hypercar class where manufacturers enjoy open development, LMP2 operates under a spec-engine mandate, with Gibson Technology exclusively supplying a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 powertrain pushing out approximately 600 hp. On the chassis front, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) originally selected four approved chassis constructors: Oreca (07), Dallara (P217), Onroak Automotive (Ligier JS P217), and Riley/Multimatic (MK30). In actual competition, however, the Oreca 07 has effectively monopolised the grid courtesy of its class-leading pace, with every single LMP2 entry in the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans being an Oreca 07-Gibson.

Technical Specifications
The current LMP2 technical rulebook has been in place since 2017. The race cars feature a closed-cockpit design, with a maximum length of 4,750 mm, a maximum width of 1,900 mm, a minimum weight of 950 kg, a 75-litre fuel cell capacity cap, and 18-inch wheels and tyres. Regulations for the 2024 Le Mans round introduced further refinements, mandating a 35 mm engine air restrictor, an engine rev ceiling capped at 8,000 rpm for 1st to 5th gears and 8,500 rpm in top (6th) gear, alongside a dedicated Le Mans-spec aero kit featuring the removal of front dive planes, shortening the rear diffuser strakes by 50 mm, and adding a 10 mm Gurney flap to the rear wing to restore aerodynamic balance.

Driver Lineup Regulations
LMP2 enforces strict driver categorisation rules. Each entry must feature at least one Silver- or Bronze-rated driver in its lineup. If the driving squad includes a Bronze-rated driver, the entry is automatically classified under the LMP2 Pro/Am sub-category, which runs its own independent classification and podium. This framework is tailored to give gentleman and amateur drivers a competitive platform in top-flight endurance racing whilst ensuring sporting parity. In the 2026 Le Mans race, outfits such as Proton Competition, TDS Racing, and United Autosports have all entered Pro/Am lineups.

Cost Control
Cost containment remains a core pillar of the LMP2 formula. The price cap for a rolling chassis, excluding the engine and homologated electronics, is strictly capped at €483,000. This stands in sharp contrast to the multi-million-euro development budgets required in the Hypercar class, allowing privateer teams to contest world-class endurance racing at a viable cost.

Future Regulation Evolution
The next-generation LMP2 regulations, originally slated for a 2024 rollout, have been deferred three times and are now officially confirmed to debut in 2028. Key overhauls under the new regulations include trimming the approved chassis constructors from four to two—Oreca and Ligier, both French marques; moving to a central-seater cockpit layout; and while Gibson remains the sole engine supplier, the powertrain will switch from naturally aspirated to a turbocharged unit. While the new-spec LMP2 machinery will continue to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, they will no longer be part of the full WEC World Championship points standings, with their core competitive arenas shifting to the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS), and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.