MissionH24 Partners With McLaren Applied for H24EVO

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest and McLaren Applied have announced a new partnership that will see the British firm supply control electronics, tire pressure monitoring systems and software for its H24EVO hydrogen racing prototype.

The H24EVO, which was officially unveiled at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, is the latest prototype to come out of the ACO’s MissionH24 and part of the push to introduce hydrogen racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

McLaren Applied is based out of Woking and was formerly a part of the McLaren Group before it was acquired by Greybull Capital in 2021.

The technology and products company focuses on the motorsport, automotive, transport and mining sectors with the capability to design, develop, manufacture and test electronic, mechanical, electrical and software products.

As part of the partnership, which was announced on Monday, the H24EVO will make use of McLaren Applied’s VCU-500 vehicle control unit.

The system has been specifically designed for electric racing applications, is already used in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, and will provide powertrain and chassis control functionality, interfacing with all other electronic units on the car.

The H24EVO will also make use of the same tire pressure monitoring system used in MotoGP, while the ATLAS GT data analysis software is also set to feature in the car.

“Our VCU-500 analysis package, tire pressure system and ATLAS GT will provide MissionH24 with the latest control systems and analysis tools to optimize the performance of the H24EVO,” said Sam Guest, head of telemetry, control and analysis at McLaren Applied.

“We look forward to seeing the car on track and supporting our MissionH24 colleagues in achieving their exciting goals and demonstrating the future of hydrogen mobility in the most demanding of endurance races.”

ACO president Pierre Fillon added: “Our program dedicated to the deployment of hydrogen in Endurance racing requires partners determined to prove the performance and environmental value of this energy in motor racing.

“McLaren Applied joins this team of companies committed to our side since 2018, when MissionH24 was officially launched, and it’s a source of great satisfaction. With H24EVO, we are entering a crucial new phase for hydrogen in racing.”