Get to know the European Le Mans Series

For the 2021 season, 43 cars have entered the series for the whole season. Those 43 cars are divided in three classes: LMP2, LMP3 and LMGTE.

The cars that are performing in those classes are all different in terms of weight, size, engine…as you can see in the following pictures.

For the LMGTE class, the Balance of Performance, referred to as ‘BoP’, allow, before each race, to balance the performance of each car to make sure that the competition is fair and close. The BoP is applied according to the brand of the car, for example, a Ferrari won’t have the same BoP as a Porsche or an Aston Martin. In ELMS, only the GTE category has a BoP.

Then, to take part to the European Le Mans Series, you must be a categorised driver as per the FIA Drivers’ categorisation. The drivers can be rated in 4 classes: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The drivers are classed according to their age and career record, then the categorisation can be adjusted following the pace of the driver during the current season and his/ her results in the series he/she is taking part.

The ELMS line ups must be completed according to this categorisation.

For example, in LMP2, a crew of 2 or 3 drivers must be comprised of at least one Silver or one Bronze driver. Two Platinum drivers can’t share the same car.

In LMP3, a crew of 3 drivers must be made of as the following: 1 Gold and 2 Bronze drivers, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze driver or 3 Bronze drivers. A crew of 2 or 3 drivers must include 1 Bronze and 1 Silver driver or 2 Bronze drivers.

In LMGTE, a crew of 2 or 3 drivers must include at least 1 Bronze and 1 Silver or 2 Bronze drivers.