ORECA Welcomes Competition for Next-Gen LMP2 Rules

ORECA boss Hugues de Chaunac has welcomed the fact that the recently-announced next-generation LMP2 rules will feature multi-marque competition, with Ligier joining the firm as one of the two licensed constructors.

In the run-up to last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, ORECA and Ligier were named as the two constructors for the ruleset that will commence in 2028 and replace the current LMP2 regulations that were first introduced in 2017.

Despite featuring four licensed constructors, including Dallara and Multimatic as well as ORECA and Ligier, the Oreca 07 quickly established market dominance upon its introduction and currently enjoys a monopoly in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and European and Asian Le Mans Series.

However, de Chaunac says he is glad that the ACO sought to keep multiple LMP2 manufacturers as part of an overhaul of its plans for the class last year, despite acknowledging that it is a “small market” with the class no longer featuring in the FIA World Endurance Championship since the end of the 2023 season.

“First of all I am very happy,” said de Chaunac. “As I said, we have to remind people that we had four constructors in 2017, even if we have been alone for three or four years. Now it’s a new game, which is normal, and we were expecting it.

“Now it’s two manufacturers, but the target is still to do the best car. LMP2 is good for us because ORECA likes competition. We like fighting against somebody, like we do in LMDh.

“It’s not a big market, it’s a small market, but we just have to be the best. It’s like in any business and in life. You are never alone.

“So we are going to do our best to have a reasonably big part of the market. It’s in our hands. For that, we need to build the best car and give the best customer service.”

Asked if he felt it was possible that the next-gen LMP2 rules could also devolve into a monopoly, de Chaunac replied: “It’s too early to say. We will take it step-by-step.

“But we like competition, that is for sure. We will do the maximum.”

Development of the currently unnamed next-gen ORECA LMP2 adds to an already-substantial workload for the Signes-based constructor, which is also working on the Genesis and Ford LMDh cars that will debut in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

ORECA has already enjoyed success in LMDh with the Acura ARX-06 and Alpine A424 that race in the WeatherTech Championship and the WEC respectively.

De Chaunac however stressed the importance of ORECA being able to create a new design that will feature its own brand and not that of a partner manufacturer.

“It’s important because it’s an ORECA car,” he said. “In Hypercar, we partner Acura or Alpine or Genesis, but in LMP2, we are a brand.

“We have some good ideas for the next-generation car. We have to show something on the aerodynamic side which is really new and innovative. That is where we are going to work when we get the regulations.”

De Chaunac said he expects the LMP2 regulations to be finalized “probably not before October or November” after which initial design work will commence.

He ruled out the possibility of a test car hitting the track as early as next year, stating that 2027 was a more realistic timeframe for track running to start.