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MissionH24 Prototype to Take Part in Spa Practice Sessions

Hydrogen-electric prototype to share track with LMP3, GT3 cars in Le Mans Cup free practice…

Photo: MPS Agency

The Mission H24 project will field its hydrogen-powered prototype in the official practice sessions for this weekend’s Michelin Le Mans Cup round at Spa-Francorchamps.

Stephane Richelmi will drive the ADESS LMP3-based car during the European Le Mans Series-headlined event as part of Mission H24’s continuing development of electric-hydrogen fuel technologies for endurance racing.

Mission H24 is a joint research effort between the ACO and GreenGT in preparation for the launch of a hydrogen-powered class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025.

GreenGT is the official powertrain supplier for the future category, while Red Bull Advanced Technologies and ORECA are collaborating on the chassis.

The current-generation H24 car made its public debut at Le Mans last month when it turned demonstrations laps of the Circuit de la Sarthe, including one in wet conditions.

It is now set for its first outing in an official timed session during a race weekend.

ACO President Pierre Fillon said at Le Mans that the car is also likely to appear during the Portimao ELMS/Le Mans Cup event, ahead of a projected race debut in 2022.

Its Spa appearance follows on from Mission H24’s first-gen hydrogen incubator, the LMPH2G, taking part in the Le Mans Cup practice sessions at the Belgian track and at Portimao in 2019 with Norman Nato and Olivier Lombard sharing the wheel.

Nato, Richelmi and Stoffel Vandoorne form the project’s current roster of drivers.

This weekend the car will refuel at a mobile TotalEnergies hydrogen station installed in the Spa pit lane, during the two 60-minute Friday sessions that also involve a field of 26 LMP3 cars and three GT3s.

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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