But where is the Hypercar?

At Le Mans, of course!

It is one of the attractions of the 2021 World Endurance Championship (the WEC) and the 89th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on August 21 and 22.

The promise of this new premier category: to ensure both fairness and spectacle.

"The cars will have to operate between such and such a window at the aerodynamic level", details Mickael Choplin, expert within the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, organizer of the race.

Research should therefore not be too extensive.

"

With a lap time of 3 minutes 30, the Hypercars will also be "heavier" and slower than the LMP1s, 3 minutes 19 per lap.

“We reduce power to reduce costs,” adds Mickael Choplin.

In this new category, manufacturers will nevertheless be able to imagine cars with varied architecture, enough to arouse the interest of the spectator, back after a 2020 edition behind closed doors.

“In LMP1, an enthusiast found it difficult to differentiate a Toyota from a Porsche.

»Two types of cars will be able to compete in Hypercar: Le Mans Hypercar models from this year, and Le Mans Daytona h, from 2022. With one objective: that they soon join forces at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Favorite to his succession, Toyota remains in danger

Winner of the last three editions of Le Mans as well as the Spa and Portimão heats this season, Toyota Gazoo Racing arrives at Le Mans with confidence.

“They have experience: they have been present in endurance racing since 2012,” confirms Mickael Choplin.

However, the sporting branch of the Japanese manufacturer remains under pressure.

"We must assume our status as favorite, but in a new category, with a new car, and new regulations", nuance Pascal Vasselon, its technical director.

Without forgetting the strong competition on this first edition.

“Alpine's car is very reliable,” argues Mickael Choplin.

Then, they have the experience of the 24 hours of Le Mans and they were endurance world champions in LMP2.

"

According to Mickael Choplin, Glickenhaus, which has joined forces with the German structure Joest Racing this season, is "well experienced since it won several editions with Audi in the years 2000 and 2010".

Another factor could be decisive according to Mickael Choplin: the hybrid engine, which Glickenhaus and Alpine still lack, and which gives Toyota additional power.

"The success handicap (a sporting rebalancing, Editor's note) was decided on the first two races of the season to avoid too much difference with Toyota", develops Mickael Choplin.

“For Le Mans, we don't know yet.

"

The spectacle in anticipation of the centenary of 2023

This new “Hypercar” regulation does not suit Pascal Vasselon.

“We slow down good cars.

But the races and the fights will be very close, continues the technical director, so the spectator will be delighted.

We can expect unheard-of competitiveness since the 1970s or 1980s. "

WEC Hypercar: Ferrari says a little more about the project - https://t.co/u2jGMppRgA - As a symbol, John Elkann, as interim president of Ferrari, will kick off the 24 Hours of Le Mans planned ... pic.twitter.com/E97eUSODac

- leblogauto (@leblogauto) July 14, 2021

And it could last: if Peugeot "still maintains the vagueness" on its return to the Le Mans event, specifies Mickael Choplin, the lion brand has already announced its presence in 2022 on the endurance championship with its surprising 9X8 Hypercar.

Without forgetting that in 2023, year of the centenary of the 24 Hours, the three most successful manufacturers will return: Porsche, record holder with 19 editions, or Audi, 13 times titled between 2000 and 2016, and Ferrari, winner nine times between 1949 in 1965. “Not only will we have great manufacturers on the starting line this year, but the following years, they will all want to win.

A Hypercourse, in short.

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