WEC Extends Partnership With TotalEnergies
Partners since 2018, TotalEnergies, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) have extended their partnership for five years up to 2028.
Supporting the ACO’s energy transition
Committed to an ambitious strategy entitled “Race to 2030”, the ACO’s goal is to achieve net zero by 2030, cutting its carbon emissions by 30% and developing a carbon offset programme.
Under the terms of the partnership, TotalEnergies will provide its energy transition expertise and will guide the ACO through an energy audit of its infrastructure, installing charging stations for electric vehicles and photovoltaic panels on its buildings and car parks.
TotalEnergies will also pursue its long-term connection with endurance competitions by offering alternatives to fossil fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen.
Endurance races with sustainable waste-based fuel
TotalEnergies has developed Excellium Racing 100[1], a racing fuel produced from wine waste and residue (leaves and grape pomace) that meets all the demands of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED). It reduces CO2 emissions by at least 65% over its life cycle.
Certified 100% sustainable, this fuel was introduced for the first time at the FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC) in March 2022, at the 1,000 Miles of Sebring race (USA), and was used for the entire starting grid. The FIA WEC and the European Le Mans Series have pioneered the use of this type of fuel for all competitors.
“I am very happy to renew our partnership with TotalEnergies, a loyal ally that provides concrete solutions in response to environmental issues. TotalEnergies will help us to make the Bugatti circuit a trailblazer for the energy transition up to 2028, and will allow us to keep pioneering innovations in endurance events. The contract covers all the ACO championships and major races: FIA WEC, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race and Michelin Le Mans Cup. I would like to thank TotalEnergies for their trust and expertise,” said Pierre Fillon, Chairman of Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
“We’re delighted to renew our partnership with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Le Mans Endurance Management, to support them in their energy transition and help them get to net zero. Motorsports, especially endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, are a real testing ground for TotalEnergies and a showcase for the innovative solutions the Company offers its customers. Biofuels have an important role to play in driving progress in the transportation sector by cutting CO2 emissions immediately, and we’re delighted to make a 100% sustainable fuel available for the ACO,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management: “TotalEnergies has stood by us since 2018, making us pioneers with the arrival of an entirely renewable fuel and allowing us to considerably reduce our carbon footprint during our races. We’re keen to pursue our fruitful partnership with TotalEnergies in the championships organized by LMEM: the FIA WEC, the European Le Mans Series, the Asian Le Mans Series and the Michelin Le Mans Cup, which all act as open-air laboratories.”
FIA WEC Add MAX To US Broadcast Options
The FIA World Endurance Championship has extended its broadcast coverage with Max (previously known as HBO Max), which will show every round of the 2024 season including the 24 Hours of Le Mans for U.S. subscribers.
Through Max’s B/R Sports Add-On, the WEC will be shown alongside NASCAR, NHL, MLB, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness and the widest range of live cycling making it the one to watch for American sports fans.
Live and on-demand coverage of the WEC will benefit from extensive production 30 minutes before and after races including a dedicated pit reporter to bring viewers closer to the action as well as every lap from qualifying.
Alongside Max, WBD’s channels and platforms will retain exclusivity of the WEC in the U.S. with its continued broadcast on the no.1 network for automotive superfans, MotorTrend TV and via the MotorTrend app.
The 2024 WEC season is set to be the biggest yet with 14 global manufacturers represented in the Hypercar and new-for-2024 LMGT3 category. The eight-round World Championship will make a welcome return to the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, for round six (1 September). The first live event on Max will be Free Practice 3 of the Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 Km, which marks the start of the new season on 1 March.
WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien commented: “The USA is a huge market for the WEC and it is always an aim to make our sport as widely accessible as possible. Max, alongside our existing deal with MotorTrend, will help achieve this goal and hopefully we can attract fans to attend our race at COTA later this season to watch the action in person. With Corvette, Cadillac and a number of American drivers on our grid this year, plus our strong ties with IMSA, we are delighted that we could sign another solid broadcast deal in this region.”
Balance of Performance
The season-starting Balance of Performance values for both Hypercar and LMGT3 has been issued
You can find the tables below
