The European Le Mans Series is back on site at Silverstone this week for the first time since 2019.
A packed National pits paddock is welcoming not only the ELMS but, for the first time, the Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series. Neither support category has raced with the ELMS in the UK before, as the race meeting was previously a double-header with the FIA WEC.
Sadly, the weather forecast for the weekend is somewhat challenging with showers through the day yesterday and more expected throughout the weekend. The circuit saw several bands of rain pass through today. It also means that the planned weekend action from the Goodyear blimp has been cancelled.
United brings friends and family
One notable temporary structure sits on the spectator bank after Copse Corner, a huge United Autosports-branded structure is set to welcome well over 300 guests.
But these are not corporate guests on this occasion. Instead, United is taking the opportunity to move their regular ‘Friends and Family’ open day to Silverstone, with every employee having been gifted four weekend passes for full hospitality, off-track entertainment and race action, including regular pit garage tours, etc.
McLaren on display, Jag on track
United Autosports also has a presence in the fan zone with a show car for the 2027 McLaren Hypercar that the team is set to operate in the FIA WEC.
It is on display together with a Jaguar XJR8 from co-team owner Zak Brown’s collection. The Jaguar is set to undertake demo laps on Sunday morning.
Le Mans Cup changes
There are a number of late changes to the Michelin Le Mans Cup, with the Motopark Mercedes AMG withdrawn from the GT3 class and some notable driver changes in LMP3.
Amongst them is an all-new line-up for Inter Europol. Its full-season #34 Ligier is not present, replaced by a solo Ligier JS P325 numbered #5 with an all-American line-up featuring silver-ranked Brady Golan and Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver and 2024 LMP2 Le Mans winner Nolan Siegel.
2025 ELMS LMP3 Champion Gael Julien makes a return too, this time in the #49 High Class racing LMP3 Pro-Am Ligier alongside Thomas Kiefer.
Championship leaders top testing
The open test sessions on Thursday saw intervention from both weather and multiple incidents as the ELMS and MLMC runners dialled themselves in to Silverstone’s challenges.
VDS Panis Racing’s #48 ORECA topped both ELMS sessions, with its best time coming in the afternoon, a 1:44.147 from Charles Milesi.
CLX Racing’s #17 Ligier set the quickest lap in LMP3, and Charlie Eastwood, driving TF Sport’s Corvette, ended the day with the best LMGT3 lap.
In Le Mans Cup, R-ace GP’s Hadrien David set the best time in the #85 Duqueine, a 1:54.251 during the second session after lunch.
- ELMS MORNING TIMES >>>
- ELMS AFTERNOON TIMES >>>
- MICHELIN LE MANS CUP MORNING TIMES >>>
- MICHELIN LE MANS CUP AFTERNOON TIMES >>>
Run the Silverstone GP Circuit for Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4
There’s still time to sign up for the ‘Tour de 4’ run around Silverstone’s GP circuit this evening.
For just £10 you can join many of the ELMS (and supports) paddock on-tracks at whatever pace you choose.
All profits will go directly to cancer charities nominated by Sir Chris Hoy.
