List of European Le Mans Series champions


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The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) is a European endurance motor racing championship organised by the umbrella organisation Le Mans Endurance Management and administered by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) automobile club.[1][2][3] Michel Cosson, the ACO president, launched the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) in 2004 following the success of the American Le Mans Series at applying ACO rules in the United States.[1] It was renamed the Le Mans Series (LMS) in 2006 and became the ELMS in 2012.[4][5] It is regarded as a stepping stone for competitors aspiring to the ACO's highest endurance series, the FIA World Endurance Championship.[6] The ACO awards European championships and trophies to the most successful drivers and teams in each of the series' categories over the course of a season. Points are awarded for individual race results as well as taking pole position, with the highest tally of points winning the respective championship or trophy.[7] At the conclusion of the season, four champions and one runner-up receive an automatic invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[8] The champions are not formally crowned until the ELMS awards ceremony after the season's final race.[9]

Marc Lieb wearing a white, red and black jacket and looking at the camera
Marc Lieb has won more European Le Mans Series Drivers' Championships than any other driver with four.

There were four classes when the LMES was founded in 2004: Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), Gran Turismo Special (GTS) and Grand Touring (GT).[1][3] The GTS and GT categories were replaced by the Le Mans Grand Touring 1 (LMGT1) and the Le Mans Grand Touring 2 (LMGT2) classes in 2005.[3] During the 2009 season, the entry-level Formula Le Mans Cup ran separate races at LMS events. Formula Le Mans (FLM) was later absorbed into the series in 2010.[3][10] In 2011, the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance Pro (LMGTE Pro) and Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance Am (LMGTE Am) categories replaced the LMGT2 class while LMGT1 was discontinued.[11][12] The following year, LMP2 replaced LMP1 as the ELMS' top class and FLM was renamed Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) which remained until 2013.[13][14]

LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am were merged to become the LMGTE class in 2013,[15] and the Grand Touring Challenge (GTC) category for Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; motor racing's world governing body)-homologated GT3 cars began racing that same year.[3][16] In 2015, the Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) category was introduced and the GTC class was discontinued when the season ended.[17][18] A Pro-Am subcategory for teams fielding at least one bronze-rated racer was added to the LMP2 class in 2021.[19] An overall championship for both drivers and teams was introduced in the 2023 season.[20][21] The LMGTE category was discontinued following the 2023 season and will be replaced by the LMGT3 class for GT3 machinery in 2024.[22]

As of the 2023 season, 135 drivers and 51 teams have won an ELMS title.[23][24][25] Marc Lieb is the most successful ELMS driver with four championships and Proton Competition are the series' most successful team with six titles.[23] There have been 83 drivers and 33 teams who have won a title in the LMP classes. Paul-Loup Chatin and Emmanuel Collard have earned the most LMP drivers' titles with three each and G-Drive Racing have achieved the most LMP teams' championships with four. Of the 53 drivers and 19 teams to have achieved a GT championship, Lieb's four championship wins are the most in the GT classes and Proton Competition have claimed all six of their teams' titles in the GT categories.[23][24][25]

Drivers' Championships

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Teams' Championships

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Constructors' Champions

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In 2008, the Constructors' Championship was awarded solely to the chassis manufacturer in the LMP categories.[48] From 2009 onward, the chassis and engine of each entry were combined in the championship.[49] In the LMGTE categories established in 2011, the results of Pro and Am were combined to award a single LMGTE Constructors' Championship.[50]

Michelin Green X Challenge

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The Michelin Green X Challenge was a championship based on the energy efficiency of each entry over the course of the season.[53] The 2007 season had champions in each of the four categories,[53] while from 2008 onward only a single overall champion was declared.[54]

  1. ^ a b The two teams from cars No. 51 and No. 52 were tied on points at the end of the championship. The crew of the No. 51 BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari – Michele Bartyan, Christian Pescatori and Toni Seiler – were declared champions because they had won two races to Matteo Cressoni's (No. 52) one.[46]
  2. ^ a b At the conclusion of the season, the two teams from vehicles Nos. 77 and 74 had each scored 99 points. Both crews had achieved two victories, finished second once, secured one fourth position, and took two pole positions over each of the five events. Proton Competition's No. 77 Porsche team of Michele Beretta, Alessio Picariello and Christian Ried were crowned champions for winning the season-opening round at Circuit Paul Ricard.[47]
  1. ^ a b c "The LMES Presentation". DailySportsCar. 16 January 2004. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  2. ^ "ACO to organise European Le Mans Series from 2013". Autosport. 25 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Stritzke, Heiko (11 February 2024). "Langstrecken-ABC: Alle Abkürzungen im Sportwagensport erklärt" [Long-distance ABC: All abbreviations in sports car racing explained] (in German). Motorsport-Total.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  4. ^ Gifford, Clive (2006). "Le Mans Series". The Kingfisher Motorsports Encyclopedia. Kingfisher Books Ltd. p. 36. ISBN 0-7534-1382-5 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ "Bye Bye LMS, Hello ELMS!". DailySportsCar. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  6. ^ "ELMS". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Sporting Regulations" (PDF). French Federation of Automobile Sport. 8 December 2022. pp. 69–73. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 March 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. ^ Kilbey, Stephen (22 October 2023). "ELMS Champions Crowned, Le Mans Invitations Handed Out After 4H Portimão". DailySportsCar. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  9. ^ Goodwin, Graham (31 October 2018). "Champions Crowned In Portimao, Plus Some Additional Season Awards!". DailySportsCar. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
    Lloyd, Daniel (14 October 2022). "Portimao Weekend Notebook". SportsCar365. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  10. ^ Joseph, Noah (13 November 2009). "Formula Le Mans joins the big boys in the Le Mans Series". Autoblog. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  11. ^ "The 2011 categories (2012 categories soon available)". Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 2 December 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  12. ^ "A fully-subscribed field for the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms!". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 15 April 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  13. ^ "LMS Announces 2012 Plans – Still Very Much Alive And Kicking". DailySportsCar. 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Formula Le Mans Becomes LMPC". DailySportsCar. 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  15. ^ "LMGTE: End of an Era" (PDF). European Le Mans Series. October 2023. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  16. ^ ten Caat, Marcel (4 November 2012). "ELMS To Run FIA GT3 Cars As GTC". DailySportsCar. Archived from the original on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  17. ^ Collins, Sam (15 July 2014). "LMP3 officially launched". Racecar Engineering. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  18. ^ Watkins, Gary (27 November 2015). "GTC class for GT3 cars dropped from ELMS for 2016". Autosport. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  19. ^ Goodwin, Graham (5 December 2020). "2021 Regulations See Changes For ELMS & Michelin Le Mans Cup". DailySportsCar. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  20. ^ a b "2023 – European Le Mans Trophy – Overall Drivers – Portimao – After Race" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 22 October 2023. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "European Le Mans Series Results 2023". Motorsport Stats. p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  22. ^ "LMGTE End of an Era: Interview with Ferrari Driver Matt Griffin". European Le Mans Series. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  23. ^ a b c "Le Mans Series & LMES & ELMS: Overview of seasons". Speedsport Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d "2021 LMP2 Pro/Am Drivers Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
    "2021 LMP2 Pro/Am Teams Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d "2022 LMP2 Pro/Am Drivers Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
    "2022 LMP2 Pro/Am Teams Classification". European Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "European LeMans Series – Season 2023". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "LeMans Endurance Series (LMES) – Season 2004". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h "LeMans Endurance Series (LMES) – Season 2005". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2006". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2007". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2008". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2009". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2010". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "LeMans Series (LMS) – Season 2011". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "European LeMans Series – Season 2012". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h "European LeMans Series – Season 2013". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  37. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2014". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h "European LeMans Series – Season 2015". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  39. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2016". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2017". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2018". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2019". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  43. ^ a b c d e f "European LeMans Series – Season 2020". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h "European LeMans Series – Season 2021". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h "European LeMans Series – Season 2022". Speedsport Magazine. pp. 1, 2, 3. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  46. ^ "2005 LMES Review (3) – GT1: The Most Consistent Team". DailySportsCar. November 2005. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  47. ^ "LMGTE: Neck and Neck to the Final Checkered Flag (Part 2)". European Le Mans Series. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Le Mans Series 2008 – Car Manufacturers Classification By Class". Le Mans Series. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  49. ^ a b "Le Mans Series 2009 – Car Manufacturers Classification By Class" (PDF). Le Mans Series. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  50. ^ a b "2011 Le Mans Series – 6 Hours of Estoril – After Race – Provisional Manufacturers Classification" (PDF). Le Mans Series. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  51. ^ "Le Mans Series 2010 – Manufacturer Classification By Class" (PDF). Le Mans Series. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  52. ^ "2012 European Le Mans Series – Petit Le Mans – After Race – Provisional Manufacturers Classification" (PDF). European Le Mans Series. 20 October 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  53. ^ a b "Michelin creates fuel-efficiency award for Le Mans racers". Tire Business. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  54. ^ a b "Porsche RS Spyder gewinnt Effizienzwertung" [Porsche RS Spyder wins efficiency rating] (in German). Motorsport-Total. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  55. ^ "MEEC Classification". European Le Mans Series. 2007. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via Yumpu.
  56. ^ "Silverstone: Speedy Racing Team Sebah race report". Motorsport.com. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  57. ^ "Results of Michelin Green X Challenge 2010". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  58. ^ Foubert, Claude (29 September 2011). "Le Mans Series 2011 : Les Classements Définitifs..." [Le Mans Series 2011: The Final Classifications...] (in French). Endurance-Info. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2023.