We caught up with the former Porsche GT3 Challenge Middle East Champion as he prepares for the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Q: With a 6th and 5th place finishes in Barcelona and Le Castellet, how would you sum up the first two races of the 2026 ELMS season from your point of view? What are the positives you are taking from the first two rounds going forward to Le Mans and Imola?
Ryan Cullen: “The biggest positive of the 2026 ELMS season to this point is that we have achieved a decent chunk of points to be in a solid championship position. It has been a pretty good showing considering the strength of the LMP2 grid and the fact we had a bit of bad luck in Barcelona; a lot of teams benefited from a mid-race Full Course Yellow pit stop and we weren’t able to capitalise.
“The Barcelona and Le Castellet rounds have definitely readied us for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, because we have shown we can fight at the front, we’re consistent and don’t make many mistakes. The races really have put us in a strong position. Not much has changed within Vector Sport’s driver line-ups and the team structure over the past 12 months, yet we have improved in a lot of crucial areas.”
Q: The next race is the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and you are racing with Vector Sport and teammates Vlad Lomko and Pietro Fittipaldi. With no changes to your ELMS team and driver line up, what changes, if any, do you make when preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans compared to a 4-hour ELMS race?
RC: “My preparations for an ELMS race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans are very different. I’m keeping on top of my fitness and trying to lose a few kilos because there’s no minimum driver weight and it makes a big difference in LMP2.
“Elsewhere, I’m spending a lot of time reviewing footage of previous editions of Le Mans while also collaborating directly with the team’s engineers at Vector Sport HQ. We want to win Le Mans, and the approach is completely different to a four-hour ELMS race because, rather than playing the long game that’s about netting consistent championship points, you’re going flat out with one shot at victory.”
Q: Does the fact that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is not part of the ELMS take away some of the pressure on you as a driver or does the fact that it is the greatest endurance race in the world come with its own pressures?
RC: “For me, there’s a good pressure at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I’ve raced there several times, and I’ve seen it evolve and get bigger each year, especially since the introduction of Hypercar. The ELMS creates pressure because the races are relatively short and the level within LMP2 has risen immensely. Everybody steps up their professionalism each year, with LMP2 teams forming closer ties with Hypercar programmes.”
Q: What is the key to a good result at Le Mans?
RC: “The key to a good result in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is having a fast car at the end of the race. You need to anticipate which direction Circuit de la Sarthe will go in on Sunday afternoon, while also getting every pit stop right – you can’t afford to waste any time in the pits in what is a very strategic race.
“It’s more than a 24-hour race for drivers. You’re required to arrive at the track first thing in the morning, and it’s important to keep on top of your fitness, nutrition, hydration and sleep. I’m particularly interested in my nutrition; I like to know what I’m eating and why it’s beneficial, understanding what my body needs most.
“Teams have their own chefs, so we work closely with them and form clear schedules with the engineers, but the race is different every year and you have to be adaptable rather than having a rigid routine. For example, the 2025 race was very hot and that placed more emphasis on hydration and energy management. Then there are simple things like changing visors for different lighting conditions, and planning for worst case scenarios.”
Q: This will be your 8th time racing in LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Do you have a favourite section / corner on the Circuit De La Sarthe?
RC: “The Porsche Curves are the most fun part of Circuit de la Sarthe, and they’re especially enjoyable at night. I expel more energy on maximising my concentration through that sequence of corners than any other, because it’s incredibly fast and traffic can be problematic. Drivers can make a big difference there, which makes getting it right satisfying.”
Q: When you look at the LMP2 grid that will compete at Le Mans this year, what would you consider to be a good result at 4pm on Sunday 14 June?
RC: “Having finished fourth two years ago, we have to do better. Of course, victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is always the ultimate ambition, but anyone who finishes inside the top three will have done a great job. We have the experience, the driver line-up and a good car over a 24-hour period, so all of the ingredients are in place.”
The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans is the 94th edition of the race that was first run in 1923 and will take place on 13/14 June. CLICK HERE for more information on the event.
