ELMS: A 42-car grid for the 2022 European Le Mans Series

Added to the goal of the European title is the chance to garner one of six invitations (two in LMP2, one in LMP3 and three in LMGTE) to take part in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.

LMP2 boasts 17 entrants, seven of which are Pro-Am. Aside from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this is the world’s largest LMP2 grid. The entry list features reigning and past champions as well as new teams and rookie drivers. Reigning LMP2 champion Yifei Ye joins Cool Racing, sharing the wheel of the #37 Oreca with two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Nicolas Lapierre. Niklas Kruetten, last year’s runner-up in LMP3 takes the third seat. LMP2 Pro-Am champions G-Drive Racing by APR will be defending their title with Australians James Allen and Alex Peroni teamed with driver’s champion John Falb in the #25 Oreca-Gibson.

Former winners United Autosports, IDEC Sport, G-Drive Racing and TDS Racing (as TDS Racing x Vaillante) are also on the list.

The LMP3 class has 12 entrants, many of which are regular competitors.
Reigning champions DKR Engineering are back with a one-car entry and Tom Van Rompuy named as driver. Last year’s runner-up Cool Racing will be fielding two cars this year. Nicolas Maulini, Antoine Doquin and Jean-Ludovic Foubert take the wheel of the #27 Ligier. Michelin Le Mans Cup winner Tony Wells keeps his seat at Nielsen Racing, joined by James Littlejohn. United Autosports will be in the hunt for another title with its pair of Ligier JS P320-Nissan. Inter Europol Competition and RLR MSport will also be running two cars.

Thirteen cars make up the LMGTE field with Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin the candidates for victory.  Last year’s winners Iron Lynx will be entering two Ferrari 488 GTE, with the Iron Dames #83 car again flying the flag for the FIA Women in Motorsport commission. Proton Competition fields two Porsche 911 RSR-19s, with Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender in his third ELMS season at the wheel.  Oman Racing by TF Sport are campaigning with two Aston Martin Vantage AMRs.

See the full Entry List for the 2022 European Le Mans Series.

Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “The upcoming European Le Mans Series is going to be fantastic. Since it was revived in 2012, the championship has gone from strength to strength, attracting an ever more competitive field and gaining popularity each year. The stakes are high this season. There are 42 teams on the grid fighting for one of six invitations to the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours, the centenary race – a tantalizing prize. We can’t wait for the action to begin in earnest in April.”

Frédéric Lequien, General Manager of LMEM: “We are delighted to announce a field of 42 cars for the 2022 European Le Mans Series. We can boast the largest LMP2 field aside from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a fantastic LMP3 grid that pits a new generation of young professionals against some top-class amateur drivers. Meanwhile, the three-way battle between Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin continues to rage in LMGTE.”