The 2026 European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup Rookie Test saw 41 cars across five classes take to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for five hours of track time.
10 LMP2, four LMP2 Pro/Am, 20 LMP3, six LMGT3 and a sole GT3 car ran with an array of almost 100 established and new talent from Platinum to Bronze behind the wheel.
The on-track action was interrupted by relatively few interruptions, which were mainly limited to minor offs.
The test is always notable for spotting what might happen in 2027, and in particular, as you’ll read on DSC later, for several new and exciting talents to have the opportunity to sample LMP2 machinery.
The #30 Duqueine Team ORECA 07 – Gibson of Doriane Pin topped the times courtesy of a 1:32.840 in the afternoon session. Indy NXT racer Tymoteusz Kucharczyk was the best rookie, having set a 1:33.522 aboard the #29 Forestier Racing by Panis ORECA.
In LMP3, Vic Stevens was fastest aboard the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 – Toyota, with Pacome Weisenburger the best rookie in the #79 Forestier Racing by VPS Ligier.
And in LMGT3, rookie Gaetano Di Mauro was fastest aboard the #57 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo, with a 1:42.795.
Trajectus Motorsport testing Duqueine
Trajectus Motorsport, which ran a Ligier JS P325 – Toyota in the Michelin Le Mans Cup this season, was a late addition to the Rookie Test entry list with a brand-new Duqueine D09.
Vincent Boutiller and Nickolas Ellis, both of whom raced for Trajectus in the Ligier European Series this year, are testing the car.
The team are evaluating the Duqueine as a potential replacement for their Ligier LMP3 car for 2027 in the Michelin Le Mans Cup but beyond that Team owner Benoit Treluyer has long-term plans:
“Of course we want to step up to ELMS in LMP3, and to LMP2 as soon as possible too with the new cars coming.
“We are building a new workshop which should be quite impressive. We certainly want to try to attract the attention of an OEM.”
The team, which has been fielding head-turningly well presented Ligiers in the Ligier European Series as well as the Le Mans Cup LMP3 effort is absolutely one to watch!
AF Corse prepares Asian Le Mans car
AF Corse has began its preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series, with an ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2 bearing the number #55 with Asian Le Mans branding, and a brand-new livery, appearing in its garage this morning ahead of testing early next week.
This, notably, is a different chassis to the one it has raced with in the European Le Mans Series this season, as the #83 ORECA is participating in the test.
Phil Hanson arrived mid-afternoon ahead of testing duties tomorrow in the #55, the Rookie test on Sunday followed by a two day general test that will see some of today’s teams – including AF Corse – staying on and adding others that have not taken part (including LMP2 and LMP2 Pro-Am Champions United Autosports and Algarve Pro Racing) fielding cars
Dinamic GT readying for GTWC Europe
The outside of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is now packed with trucks waiting to enter the venue ahead of next weekend’s GT World Challenge Europe event.
One team has already made a head start on its preparations for the Endurance Cup finale, with a third Dinamic GT Porsche 911 GT3 R (992.2) appearing on-site, this its Bronze Cup machine from the 2026 Sprint Cup.
Franz Binder tests Proton LMP2
Rene Binder’s father Franz Binder was out in a Proton ORECA this morning sampling the car his son has no doubt been raving about.
Binder Sr. is no stranger to high downforce machinery as he campaigns Rene’s ex-World Series by Renault car in Boss Formula.
Albuquerque makes LMP2 return
Local hero Filipe Albuquerque is enjoying his day with TDS Racing, stepping back into an LMP2 car for the first in 12 months after contesting the 2025 ELMS season with Nielsen Racing.
The 2020 ELMS LMP2 Drivers’ Champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner is looking for a 2027 ELMS programme, alongside his soon-to-be-confirmed IMSA GTP seat with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing, for two reasons. Firstly, any seat time is “good for a pro driver”, and secondly, “these cars are just enormous fun and great to drive, particularly here (Portimão).
A third reason may well emerge as we await confirmation of just who will compete in the expected three-car Cadillac effort at the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the third car set to be the Action Express Racing machine. Albuquerque, if not successful to be named in a race seat in Hypercar, would be keen to contest the race in LMP2.
Images courtesy of David lord and Boss Formula/Alexandre Montesinos
