Michelin Le Mans Cup Expands to Three Classes in 2025

Since 2017 the LMP3 category has been providing fans of the Michelin Le Mans Cup with huge grids and dramatic race action. For the 2025 season a new LMP3 category will be introduced to race alongside the existing LMP3 Pro/Am class.

For the last eight seasons the driver crews in LMP3 have been a combination of one bronze driver alongside either another bronze, silver or gold rated driver. This driver combination will continue next season and be known as the “LMP3 Pro/Am”.

The new category, which will be known as “LMP3”, will be for crews that include one silver driver, with their teammate either a silver or gold rated. Platinum drivers will still be ineligible to race in the MLMC.

2025 will also mark the introduction of the next generation of LMP3 cars, with a new Toyota V35A 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine powering a choice of chassis from Ligier, Duqueine, Adess and Ginetta.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest:”LMP3 is a key category for the ACO and its success, particularly in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, is beyond any doubt. This championship – the foundation of the endurance pyramid – will see the introduction of a third class next season to bring greater equality and density to the LMP3 field. It will offer highly talented driver crews an opportunity to launch their career in this particularly challenging competition.”

Frédéric Lequien, Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) CEO:“The LMP3 category has been a huge success since its introduction by the ACO in 2015.The Michelin Le Mans Cup has provided a great introduction to Endurance Racing for drivers of all abilities, from the amateur to the young professional embarking on their career.

“To bolster the opportunities for the young professional, it has been decided to allow silver-silver or silver-gold driver combinations to race in the Michelin Le Mans Cup for the first time, while maintaining the unique opportunity for bronze drivers to race in their own category on some of Europe’s best tracks, including the full 13km Le Mans circuit in June.”