Fillon: Hybrid LMP2 “Just a Possibility” with No Firm Plans

ACO President Pierre Fillon has downplayed the notion of hybrid technology being introduced to LMP2 cars in the future, stating that it is “just a possibility” based on the car architecture.

Fillon briefly mentioned hybrid power as a potential distant option for the second-tier prototype formula during Friday’s ACO press conference held at Le Mans.

He later explained that there is “no timeline” for the integration of an electric motor in the powertrain for the next generation of LMP2 cars that will last from 2025 to 2030.

Those cars will be developed by four designated constructors — Dallara, Ligier Automotive, Multimatic and ORECA — and will use the same base as the LMDh cars currently being produced by the same companies in partnership with road car brands.

LMDh cars contain a spec Bosch electric motor generator unit producing a constant 50 kW, in addition to an internal combustion engine of the road car company’s choice.

The hybrid system is completed by a seven-speed Xtrac transmission and a Williams Advanced Engineering battery.

Regarding the potential for hybrid technology in LMP2, which has traditionally been an internal combustion formula, Fillon told Sportscar365 that no firm plans are in place.

“There is no timeline, it is just a possibility,” he said. “Because we use the spine of the LMDh, we have the space to put in a hybrid [system]. We don’t know.

“At this time, we don’t want to speak about hybrid in LMP2.

“But we speak about 2030, so if maybe in 2029, we will be obliged to have a hybrid system, but it will be something very simple, not expensive. Nothing to do with LMDh, for example.

“It is just a possibility. I’m not saying that we want to put a hybrid [system] in LMP2.”

ACO competition director Thierry Bouvet described the notion of hybrid technology in LMP2 as “suggestive” and indicated that the state of wider efficiency regulations on the automotive market is likely to play a key role.

The European Union last year issued a proposal for a 100 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, effectively prohibiting the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars after that date and encouraging more electric vehicle production.

“I think [Pierre] is saying that we leave the door open,” Bouvet said.

“The next generation of LMP2 will [run] from 2025 to 2030. What will motorsport be like [then]? That’s far ahead, so we have to be a bit careful. It’s moving fast.”

Hugues de Chaunac, the president of ORECA which currently dominates the LMP2 market, spoke in favor of the ACO and FIA keeping the same basic car architecture for LMP2 and LMDh, which would then leave open the option for hybrid integration.

“I think it is a good thing at least to be prepared,” de Chaunac told Sportscar365.

“Perhaps it can happen in 2029 or 2030; we don’t know. But it’s good to be prepared for that.

“And it’s easy because we have the common spine with LMDh. I think it would be a mistake if they change the spine [specifically] for LMP2.

“I think that the fact that they decided to keep it, and we pushed for that, is a good idea and in case of [adding a hybrid system] it’s ready.”