MissionH24: History and Outlook

HISTORY

September 22, 2018

MissionH24, the collaborative project between the ACO and GreenGT, was launched at Spa-Francorchamps, to promote hydrogen for racing through various stages, with the ultimate goal to create a dedicated hydrogen class for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the near future. The first phase of this MissionH24 set out to prove that hydrogen is a safe, simple and promising energy. Yannick Dalmas, four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, completed a solo lap of the world-famous Ardennes track with the LMPH2G laboratory car, as part of the Belgian round of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

September 20, 2019

Almost one year to the day after the MissionH24 program was announced, it was deployed, through various stages. The LMPH2G, initially a laboratory car, ramped up its test sessions to gradually become a racing car, developed by the H24Racing team, the dedicated racing structure set up. The electric-hydrogen prototype was even part of proceedings for the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019, completing a lap of this renowned track, a few minutes before the teams competing in the 87th event officially got started.

On September 20, 2019, at Spa-Francorchamps, during the fifth round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup, as part of the ELMS meeting, MissionH24, now joined by a leading partner, TotalEnergies, tested the LMPH2G during the Michelin Le Mans Cup’s two free practice sessions. As part of an international event, this test enabled the LMPH2G to face real racing conditions for the first time, immersed at the heart of the competitors from this class. During these two open test sessions, the LMPH2G refueled for the first time with the mobile hydrogen station designed exclusively for racing by TotalEnergies. A world first!

The H24Racing team was founded in spring 2019 to continue the work of the GreenGT engineering team that had designed the LMPH2G and transformed this laboratory car into a racing prototype. H24Racing launched the LMPH2G’s performance development program before summer 2019 and completed a series of private test sessions on European circuits to expose the car to several types of tracks, weather conditions and grip levels.

September 18, 2020

MissionH24 is continuing to move forward with its development. Jean-Michel Bouresche, MissionH24 Operations Manager and Team Principal of H24Racing, the team that operates the program’s racing vehicles, and Norman Nato, the team’s development driver, unveiled a new prototype, the H24. This replaced the LMPH2G, following two years of private testing and its participation in two race weekends (Spa and Portimao in 2019 with the Michelin Le Mans Cup).

Despite the H24’s appearance, the LMPH2G remained in the spotlight. On Saturday September 18, 2020, it took to the track for a solo lap of honor at the famous Le Mans circuit, a few minutes before the 2:30pm start for the drivers qualified for the 88th 24 Hours event.

OUTLOOK

The H24 is a new electric-hydrogen prototype that shares few characteristics with the LMPH2G.

Externally, its bodywork, still developed by the company Adess, marks a complete break from its predecessor. Its lines reflect the gains achieved: improved aerodynamic performance and better cooling for the propulsion system.

From a mechanical perspective, the H24 also represents a step forward. GreenGT has designed and developed a new powertrain, whose heart, the electric-hydrogen generator, fitted with new Symbio bipolar plates, offers increased performance capabilities. Alongside this, the new battery, equipped with Saft cells, stores and delivers more energy. The number of electric motors has been reduced from four to two, which run twice as quickly and can deliver more power, while offering a very substantial weight saving.

This is all rounded off with a new gearbox – more precisely a reduction gearbox - that is more compact and lighter than the previous unit, as well as an electronic braking system. Ultimately, the increased performance capabilities are linked in particular to a 150kg weight saving, which aligns the H24 more closely with the weight of a GT3.