MissionH24, sustainable action at Spa-Francorchamps
MissionH24 continues its mission to pioneer zero-emission racing at the Spa-Francorchamps round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (26-29 April 2023) with one electric-hydrogen prototype on display and the other on track. The programme was officially launched at the Belgian racetrack in 2018 with the aim of showing that hydrogen is as safe and reliable as the internal combustion engine. This year’s meet offers race organiser the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the circuit operator the opportunity to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to promote sustainable mobility.
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The FIAWEC field comprising Hypercar, LMP2 and LMGTE Am machines will be preceded by the LMPH2G electric-hydrogen prototype for a pre-race demonstration. The revolutionary racecar – which emits nothing other than water – is no stranger to Spa-Francorchamps. In 2018, it completed several laps in the hands of Yannick Dalmas during the European Le Mans Series meet, refuelling with hydrogen in view of curious onlookers gathered in the pit lane. |
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The revolutionary racecar – which emits nothing other than water – is no stranger to Spa-Francorchamps. In 2018, it completed several laps in the hands of Yannick Dalmas during the European Le Mans Series meet, refuelling with hydrogen in view of curious onlookers gathered in the pit lane. Since 2018, MissionH24 has made steady progress, with new “firsts” unveiled at Spa-Francorchamps (see video), such as the mobile H2 station created by TotalEnergies. In 2022, the H24 took over the baton from the LMPH2G, competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup and reaching the chequered flag in every round entered. A ground-breaking feat. In 2023, both cars will be at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to show the progress achieved by this new technology. While the H24 will be displayed in the fan zone edutainment village, ACO president Pierre Fillon will take to the track at 10:00 on Saturday in the LMPH2G with Amaury Bertholomé, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps CEO, in the passenger seat. For the team, this is an ideal opportunity to showcase the research undertaken by motorsport in the quest for carbon-free racing and mobility. Pierre Fillon, ACO President and MissionH24 Joint Chair: « At a time when the Hypercar class is coming into its own, endurance also needs to work on reducing emissions. With MissionH24, we are exploring the hydrogen option. The laboratory project has already convinced several carmakers. We started from scratch, because no hydrogen prototype has ever raced at this level. In just five years, we have accomplished a lot, and we appreciate the support of racetracks like Spa-Francorchamps that are particularly proactive and innovative with regard to energy transition. » Amaury Bertholomé, CEO, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps: |
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« This year marks the fifth anniversary of the partnership between the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and the ACO. A strong, lasting relationship was forged in 2018 with the official launch of the MissionH24 programme. It is a quite remarkable story that continues today at Spa-Francorchamps. We are grateful to the ACO for choosing our racetrack to help develop a more sustainable form of racing through a highly promising, innovative process that is meeting every challenge, season after season. Our demanding, technical racetrack is no stranger to this as it gives these electric-hydrogen prototypes a platform on which to show what they are capable of, and enables us to play a leading role in strengthening the ties between motorsport and the mobility sector. » Jean-Michel Bouresche, MissionH24 Operations Manager and H24Racing Team Principal: « The MissionH24 programme took off in 2018 when, for the very first time, Yannick Delmas brought a prototype with an electric-hydrogen powertrain out on to the Spa-Francorchamps track. Norman Nato and Stéphane Richelmi followed with the LMPH2G, and subsequently the H24, to prove the relevance of this innovative technical solution. Performing on this legendary circuit is always a challenge. The aim of MissionH24 remains to overcome obstacles and rise to challenges. » |
