The fully maxed out 2023 European Le Mans Series entry list is once again showing the continental series in full strength.
There are though a large number of changes from the 2022 entry list to consider.
LMP2
The list shows 18 full season LMP2 cars but with a very different mix from last season.
There are seven cars listed in LMP2 proper, compared to 10 cars in 2022.
Prema’s doubling up in the FIA WEC accounts for their absence but the first-year LMP2 effort for Muehlner Motorsport is not continued into 2023, this a team that had hopes of a two-car LMP2 effort at one point!
As predicted the three year run for BHK Racing comes to an end too.
LMP2 Pro-Am numbers a very healthy 11 cars (up from seven in 2022) after the class was removed from the FIA WEC for this year. Two 2022 teams are not returning with the TDS x Vaillante and Graff Racing squads not listed.
United Autosports though add two Pro-Am cars, and Cool Racing double up for the first time in LMP2 with their Pro-Am entry.
DragonSpeed USA return with Henrik Hedman joined by the father and son combo of Juan Pablo and Sebastien Montoya. And, as reported last week by DSC, Proton Competition have added a full season Pro-Am Oreca too.
The proposed Pro-Am effort from Panis Racing meanwhile does not appear on the list.
Also, a notable absentee is John Falb, not listed on an ELMS entry for the first time since entering the 2016 Series with Graff Racing in LMP3 before moving to United Autosports, taking a title there ahead of a four year spell with Algarve Pro Racing and G-Drive.
LMP3
LMP3 features 12 cars, one down on 2022.
In come Team Virage, WTM by Rinaldi (with one of two Duqueines on the entry), Michelin Le Mans Cup winners Racing Spirit of LeMan and ex 2022 FIA WEC LMP2 squad Ultimate.
Out go United Autosports and late 2022 addition 360 Racing. Both Cool Racing and Inter Europol step back from two-car entries to a single Ligier apiece.
GTE
A healthy 12-car entry for the final season with GTE machinery, the same number as 2022, sees ELMS newcomers and Michelin Le Mans Cup Champions GMB Racing step in as previously announced with an Aston Martin Vantage.
Out go Absolute Racing and Rinaldi Racing together with the Iron Dames, the latter two teams both 2022 class race winners.
Proton Competition steps up from two Porsche entries to three and also assist with the solo Iron Lynx entry that switches for 2023 from Ferrari to Porsche too.
Ex ELMS Champions Formula Racing return with a Ferrari, this a second Danish-flagged effort in the class.
And AF Corse adds a second Ferrari to their returning Duncan Cameron-anchored – Spirit of Race effort.
JMW Motorsport continue their extraordinary run, ever-presents on the ELMS entry with a history that goes back under the same name to 2008 and with Jim McWhirter’s car being fielded prior to that for three seasons by Virgo Motorsport!
