Red Bull, ORECA team delivers chassis of the hydrogen class – Sportwagen365

Photo: Mark Thompson / Red Bull Content Pool

A joint offer from Red Bull Advanced Technologies and ORECA was awarded the tender for the development of a chassis for the future hydrogen category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest announced on Monday that RBAT and ORECA would work together to create the basis for a hydrogen-powered prototype that will be considered for its own racing class from the 2024 edition of the French endurance classic.

The project combines the endurance experience of the LMP designer ORECA and the RBAT, who are known for their work in racing car design, aerodynamics, simulation and other research areas.

The first task of the partnership is to conduct a feasibility study for a hydrogen car concept.

RBAT and ORECA will partner with Plastic Omnium, which will provide the hydrogen tank for the new formula.

“This partnership confirms that the ACO has made the right decisions for the future of motorsport and underscores our ambition to drive carbon-free races for future generations,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“We are very pleased to welcome ORECA and Red Bull Advanced Technologies together with Plastic Omnium, manufacturer of the hydrogen class fuel tank.

“With these high profile auto companies on board, the auto manufacturers’ interest is likely to increase, especially those who regularly contribute to our hydrogen workgroup.

“We live in difficult times, but the ACO is resolutely pursuing its path towards low-carbon racing and mobility.”

RBAT has been involved in several notable engineering projects, including the development of Formula 1 vehicles for sister organization Red Bull Racing, the production hypercar Aston Martin Valkyrie and the protective aeroscreen for the NTT IndyCar series.

“I am very pleased that Red Bull Advanced Technologies has been selected by the ACO together with our partner ORECA to develop the concept of a hydrogen-powered endurance racing car for Le Mans, ”said Christian Horner, CEO of the company.

“Red Bull Advanced Technologies is well qualified to take on the challenges posed by the ACO. You will have access to many of the tools used in the design and development of the Red Bull Racing F1 car, as well as extensive experience with other cutting-edge vehicle programs.

“The hydrogen class at Le Mans offers an exciting insight into the future of sustainable motorsport and promises both to advance the use of hydrogen in transport and to deliver exciting races.”

ORECA’s involvement brings the most widespread of the four designated LMP2 chassis designers on board.

The president of the French company, Hugues de Chaunac, stated that “collaboration is essential for projects such as the ACO’s hydrogen long-distance racing concept”.

“We are proud that the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected us to work with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on this ambitious, forward-looking project,” he said.

“And we are very excited to be working with the other project partners, including Plastic Omnium and Green GT.

“Working together is crucial if we are to succeed in introducing a hydrogen class at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“ORECA enjoys challenges and breakthrough changes and we can fully express our talents in such a fascinating company.

“With the LMH and LMDh classes, endurance racing is entering a fascinating new era. From a technical and sporting point of view, we will sit on the edge of our seats. “

The ACO has been campaigning for the potential use of emission-free technology in endurance racing for several years.

Efforts focused on the MissionH24 project, which demonstrated hydrogen at racing events in a car developed around an ADESS LMP3 chassis.

The next phase of the MissionH24 project is the introduction of a hydrogen racing category at Le Mans.

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365 who covers the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship, AWS’s GT World Challenge Europe and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among others.