MissionH24 programme launched in 2018 is about to take a new step in its development. This weekend the H24, its electric-hydrogen-powered prototype, will take part in the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Imola among cars with conventional power units. This is a first in the history of the motor car at this level of competition!
This weekend, the Imola circuit will be the setting for a ground-breaking milestone for the future of motor sport and more widely speaking for mobility in general. The H24, the electric-hydrogen-powered prototype from the MissionH24 programme, which is laying the groundwork for the arrival of a category reserved for hydrogen-powered vehicles in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, will take part in its first race (110 minutes) in the middle of other cars using conventional energy.
Up to now, the H24 was present at the weekend’s races, but its participation was limited to the free practice sessions only. A few days ago the H24 received its homologation papers from the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) making it a competitor in its own right in international endurance races.
The H24 has been entered for the Michelin Le Mans Cup for the full 2022 season in the experimental category. It is now going to continue its performance development programme by adding participations in races to its already densely-packed private test calendar.
At Imola, the H24 will be in the hands of one of its performance development drivers, Stéphane Richelmi. His job will be to pursue the work undertaken since the beginning of the year in private testing, namely the development of the autonomy of the prototype at a constant level of performance.
As at Le Castellet last month in free practice for the first round of the 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup, the H24 will again carry the number 24 as it will do for the whole season. On theAutodromo Dino e Enzo Ferrari, the H24Racing team will be installed in the Michelin Le Mans Cup paddock and will refuel at the TotalEnergies mobile station.
Stephane Richelmi, driver of the H24 Racing H24:
Q: You’ve just taken part in the world’s first qualifying session for a hydrogen powered race car.As someone who has been involved in this project for a very long time, how does it feel to have reached this important milestone in the development of the car?
“As you say, it's really important for us.It's an important milestone because the team have been working for years to be here today, the first qualifying and, later, for the first race. We were well prepared, of course, the past is really long to get everything perfect. We are here as a development team, and to progress each time we go out.
“It was really important time today. Overall, we're happy with the pace.Even if you don't see it by the lap time, we're really close to the GTs. Unfortunately, it's more from mistake that I went too much out at T9, two times I went beyond the track limits.
“You need to understand that with this car, we have quite a lot of temperature issues, which didn’t allow us to push. So, we tried to cool down for the last lap, but we didn't have enough power. So, the only lap time was far from our one hundred percent performance.
“It’s going to be tough because yesterday we didn't run almost at all,between the other problems we had in FP1 and in FP2 with all the full course yellows and red flag, we only finished three laps, all without the full power.
“But the most important thing is that the car behaved well. We were well prepared to get the power with the temperature in the out lap. So, without driving yesterday, we are all happy about the performance. But yes, it's a long way to make everything perfect.”
Q: What is the goal for this afternoon’s race?
“In the end, we are starting last for sure. So, we don't target to fight with GTs, or even with the LMP3, but we are here to collect the most possible information at race pace and with the race conditions.When we make our own test, either with ourselves or with other cars, you will never face the real conditions of racing.”
“For example, we discovered yesterday in FP2 that with the FCY, the temperature was increasing a lot and we're having issue because of that. So, the race will give us training in real conditions and to improve for the future. If I get the opportunity to overtake some GT cars, I will go for it of course, but this is not our target. I mean, we just want to finish the race and to take the most information possible.”
Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and co-president of MissionH24: "Today sees a world first, the presence of an electric-hydrogen prototype at the start of a European endurance race in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. It is concrete proof of our convictions, their realism, and our involvement: racing and decarbonised mobility are now possible! The energy transition is now en route. Together with all our partners, we have contributed to it with steadfast determination. It hasn’t been an easy journey; different stages exist, and will still exist, but that’s part of our mission. Rendezvous on Saturday at Imola at 17:30 with the H24 zero emission electric-hydrogen prototype on the starting grid in the experimental category.”
Christophe Ricard, president of GreenGT and and co-president of MissionH24: "This race debut at Imola is a new and crucial stage in the development of the MissionH24 programme. The homologation tests passed successfully highlight the excellent work done by all our teams and technical partners who I want to congratulate here and now. If racing is a constant test, homologation is another that’s just as important carried on behind the scenes in collaboration with the FIA. Imola marks a significant phase change. We’re still explorers and now we’ve fully committed to taking on the role of competitor. It’s a new challenge for MissionH24, for the ACO, for GreenGT and for all our personnel. We welcome it with pleasure as motor racing makes no sense if it doesn’t embrace conquest, and the taking on of technological and sporting challenges."
Bernard Niclot, MissionH24’s innovation manager: "This week a new technology has appeared in motor racing. Not only are performance and efficacy its aim, but it is also taking part in the energy transition that is so crucial for our planet today. In the motor car milieu, it serves as a trigger for the engineers and researchers, the first link in the chain that’s going to drive this virtuous dynamic The introduction of a new technology requires new sporting and regulatory frameworks and new safety procedures that we’ll develop with our governing bodies. These stages are essential."
Jean-Michel Bouresche, MissionH24 Operating manager and H24Racing Team Principal: "Making our debut in a race after being restricted to just free practice sessions during race weekends for several seasons is a moment that we’ve been waiting for with growing impatience. But our aims are part of a logical process which is not that of the quest for an immediate sporting result. With the partners in the MissionH24 programme we’re working in the long term, of course one race after another, but over several seasons. Our role is to test the technology, to go quicker and quicker for longer and longer and to trace more and more clearly the outlines of the hydrogen category that will appear in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Our forthcoming races will be full of pitfalls! It’s normal as we’re the trail-blazers and we’re opening up unknown avenues!"
