MissionH24 and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing collaborate on hydrogen
Announced last June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the MissionH24 - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing collaboration presents its first renderings and shares its objectives. The aerodynamics and cooling of a prototype using a fuel cell are new research areas in motorsport. The MissionH24 - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing partnership is a pioneer in this field.
When on June 13, 2025, at Le Mans, during the official press conference of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Pierre Fillon, Kazuki Nakajima and Bassel Aslan, respectively President of the ACO and Co-President of MissionH24, Vice-Chairman of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe, Technical Director of MissionH24, formalized the MissionH24 - Toyota GAZOO Racing collaboration, the first discussions between the two entities had already taken place some time ago and the work had started a few months earlier.
The goal is clear: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, with five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and seven FIA World Endurance Championship titles to its credit, will call upon its expert aerodynamics and cooling teams to assist MissionH24 in the development of the H24EVO.
THE H24EVO HAS TWO UNIQUE FEATURES :
- It is equipped with a fuel cell to generate its electricity. Unlike a prototype equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine, the H24EVO cannot use its exhausts to dissipate heat.
- It features specific aerodynamics, resulting from a unique initial design that defines its identity, and the integration of a hydrogen power unit with liquid H2 storage.
MissionH24 and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing have thus established specifications, including the tools provided, the shared data, and the various steps to be taken to achieve the set objectives. Simulation calculations are used to "score" the aerodynamic and cooling efficiency of a racing prototype, still under development. An initial CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) study has thus identified the shortcomings of the initial H24EVO design to achieve the ideal aerodynamic and cooling scenario.
Since June 2025, the MissionH24 and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams, comprising around ten people, have met weekly.
At this stage, their collaboration has yielded several avenues for modification:
- Larger louvers or opening panels can allow for more efficient extraction of cooling air.
- Clearing the passage under the body for cooling air to reach the rear of the car.
- Re-arranging some misaligned front uprights and reorienting the air intakes also improves cooling capacity.
- Creating a new version of the rear wing, allowing for good downforce and significantly reducing drag.
Two crucial dates and certain tests punctuate the schedule of this collaboration:
- November 2025: Freezing of the skeleton.
- Freezing of the cooling architecture.
- Verifying that the vehicle's aerodynamics allow for efficient cooling.
- February 2026: Freezing of the H24EVO body.
The first runs of the hydrogen prototype are planned for 2026.
Bassel Aslan, Technical Director of MissionH24: "With the H24EVO, aerodynamics and cooling are two new and crucial themes for the performance of this pioneering hydrogen prototype. The fuel cell and the specific design of the H24EVO require different studies than a conventional combustion engine prototype. Being able to conduct this research with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is a particularly exciting experience."
Kazuki Nakajima, Vice Chairman of Toyota GAZOO Racing Europe : "We will help reinforce the MissionH24 project through technical collaboration focused on aerodynamics and cooling systems, leveraging the expertise we have honed in motorsport. ACO is a pioneer of hydrogen in motorsport, and we share their strong commitment. Beyond these technical contributions, we aim to build a partnership that expands the potential of hydrogen not only in racing but also across other fields. At TOYOTA, we believe that achieving carbon neutrality is essential for cars to remain necessary in society, and that multiple options are required to realize it. We will continue to advance hydrogen technology as one of the technologies within our multi‑pathway approach."
MissionH24 and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing present their collaboration at Fuji
At the 6 Hours of Fuji, the 7th round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, hydrogen will be at the heart of the Japanese event, both in the fan zone and on the track!
Last June, during the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, MissionH24, a collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project, and Toyota Gazoo Racing announced their partnership. These two entities, committed to the deployment of hydrogen in racing and for universal mobility, have joined forces to develop the aerodynamics and cooling of the future H24EVO.
At the end of September 2025, in Fuji, MissionH24 and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will share the progress of their work, during a press conference, organized on Saturday, September 27th at 12:35 PM. In the fan zone, a booth will be dedicated to this collaboration.
Hydrogen will also be featured on the track. While the H2 prototype category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship is planned for competition starting in 2028, demonstrations are already being organized to demonstrate the potential of this new technology. On September 27, during the Safari Lap, a Hydrogen bus will complete the 4.5 kilometers of Fuji Speedway with the FIA WEC Hypercar and LMGT3 grid. A world first!
The ACO and SDIS72 team up on hydrogen
The 131st National Congress of French Firefighters will take place from October 8 to 11 in Le Mans, notably at the circuit. This will be an opportunity to showcase the involvement of SDIS72 and the ACO in the development of new energies, such as hydrogen.
From October 8, a hydrogen village, set up in the firefighters' village in the circuit paddocks, will present to everyone the potential and numerous uses of this energy source, as well as the relevant safety instructions. Race cars, buses, trucks, planes, and production models will be on display, and some will take to the track on Thursday, October 9, and Saturday, October 11.
On October 9, a major debate entitled “New energy vehicles: an uncontrolled or controlled risk?” will allow SDIS72 and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, accompanied by manufacturers and energy specialists, to share their experience of a pioneering challenge: integrating a new energy source, hydrogen, into the competitive arena in complete safety, even when the rules have yet to be defined and must be established together. This collaboration is essential.
Join us on October 9 at the Parc des Expositions from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the presentation of this work, which began in 2018 with a view to entering the Hydrogen category in competition by 2028.
MissionH24 selects FORVIA to equip its latest Hydrogen Racing Prototype
MissionH24, a collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project for the deployment of hydrogen in endurance racing, and FORVIA have formalized their collaboration. The French equipment manufacturer will be the supplier of liquid hydrogen tanks for the H24EVO, MissionH24's latest racing prototype. The announcement was made on September 10th at the LMH2 Symposium at the Le Mans circuit.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, a century-old race and a veritable technological laboratory for mobility, is actively participating in the energy transition, notably with MissionH24, a program that is expected to initiate the creation of a Hydrogen category in Endurance racing starting in 2028.
Hydrogen makes it possible to envision competitive prototypes with a range and refueling time similar to those of conventional combustion engine racing cars, without any CO2 emissions from the exhaust!
After the LMPH2G, the first H2 demonstrator, then the H24, the first H2 racing car (which has finished every time it entered the Michelin Le Mans Cup), the H24EVO will demonstrate significant progress on the track. Its first tests are scheduled for 2026.
To achieve these goals, the H24EVO combines the experience of numerous partners, specialists in motorsport and/or hydrogen. FORVIA, a recognized specialist in hydrogen storage, will provide the liquid hydrogen storage solution for this racing prototype. The extreme operating conditions at -253°C require advanced expertise as well as an optimized design to meet the performance requirements of a competition vehicle. FORVIA was selected in particular for its expertise in calculations and simulations, ensuring precise sizing of the liquid hydrogen tank.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Co-President of MissionH24: "MissionH24 is a pioneering program, contributing to the creation of the hydrogen category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. To achieve this goal of zero-CO2 emissions racing, we need to bring together all the expertise and energy to create this new era of endurance racing. The arrival of FORVIA within the project continues the creation of this pioneering and unique team."
Jean-Michel Bouresche, Co-President of MissionH24 and CEO of H24Project: "We are very pleased to welcome FORVIA to MissionH24 to supply the liquid hydrogen tank for the H24EVO. FORVIA's arrival is part of a strategy to consolidate our network of stakeholders committed to the decarbonization of mobility." Its integration strengthens the synergies of our ecosystem of excellence and will undoubtedly contribute to achieving our technical and sporting objectives. Furthermore, FORVIA is a co-shareholder of Symbio, supplier of the hydrogen fuel cell and an early partner of MissionH24.”
Bassel Aslan, Technical Director of MissionH24: "By partnering with FORVIA, MissionH24 not only acquires unparalleled expertise in cryogenic storage, but also the innovative spirit needed to design a solution that meets the challenges of motorsport. With FORVIA at our side, the technical team and I are more confident in designing a safe and compact storage system that overcomes all challenges and sets a new benchmark for the application of this cutting-edge technology in motorsport."
Yves Dumoulin, Senior Vice President, FORVIA, Hydrogen Solutions: "This collaboration represents an opportunity for our teams to leverage their engineering skills and our liquid hydrogen storage solutions in a high-performance environment, while strengthening our expertise for future heavy-duty mobility solutions."
MissionH24 and Kappa Optronics, a pioneering and responsible vision
MissionH24, the collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project for the deployment of hydrogen in endurance racing, will use pioneering products from Kappa Optronics for the future H24EVO.
The vision! For MissionH24, it's essential: the collaborative program is participating in the deployment of hydrogen in Endurance racing in order to decarbonize motor racing and mobility more generally. Since 2018, MissionH24 has been demonstrating the potential of this energy vector, which will be used from 2028 by a class of H2 prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Kappa optronics, a German company with over 200 employees, specialized in developing and manufacturing advanced cameras and vision systems. With over 40 years of experience, Kappa leads in compliance, certification, and validation, providing the world’s safest vision systems for defense mobility and autonomous machines.
Kappa's advanced Rearview OneBox® system will be integrated into the H24EVO. Conventional side and rearview mirrors will be replaced by three displays, all using Kappa's high-end automotive cameras. Compared to regular mirrors the system offers improved visibility and safety, reduces aerodynamic drag and enhances driving experience.
Advantages of the system include:
- Improved visibility
- Aerodynamic advantage
- Usability in all weather conditions
- Optimal performance in darkness
- No glare from following vehicles
- Outstanding image quality
- Customizable to driver preferences
Technical Specifications:
- Cameras: Up to four cameras with digital video output, LED flicker mitigation, and integrated smart PTC heater.
- ECU: Centralized unit managing up to four cameras and three displays, designed to replace conventional mirrors.
- Displays: Scalable options (5”, 7”, 9.2”, 10.25”) with high brightness and contrast, customized cover-glass, and efficient data transmission.
"We are proud to accompany MissionH24 with our cutting edge Rearview OneBox® system on their Le Mans 24H journey. After successfully participating in various sustainable vehicle projects and concepts including solar-powered cars, this is the first time that our system will be integrated into a hydrogen vehicle. The MissionH24 vehicle will now feature our revolutionary rear-view concept, significantly enhancing safety for both the driver and everyone in the vehicle's surroundings. This innovation fulfills our responsibility and embodies our core principle 'Safety Beyond.' We look forward to exceeding our joint targets within the unparalleled cooperation with MissionH24" said Fabian Claus, Business Unit Manager Vision Solutions.
Bassel Aslan, MissionH24 Technical Director, “Providing our next hydrogen racing car prototype H24EVO with Kappa Optronics rear vision system embodies the futuristic vision of our project. This shows our determination to replace conventional solutions with cutting-edge technologies targeting at the time safety and performance.”
Texys Group and MissionH24, towards a future of emission-free motorsports
MissionH24, a collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project for the promotion of hydrogen in racing, has signed a technical partnership with Texys Group, to equip the future H24EVO with a set of sensors and measurement solutions, essential for its tuning and development.
For over 25 years, Texys has been equipping a wide range of motorsport categories and is world-renowned for the quality and precision of its sensors, custom-designed and developed for extreme environments, especially through its Texense® brand. Texys solutions combine robustness, lightness, compactness and reliability. As an official partner, Texys will supply a range of sensors and measurement solutions, as well as all associated conditioning electronics, which will enable the development, tuning and operation of the H24EVO. Among the solutions embedded in the H24EVO, Texys will equip the racecar with sensors for infrared temperature measurement, inertia, aerodynamics and effort.
The breadth and diversity of Texys' electronics expertise means that customers can rely totally on their sensors for the crucial data they need. Integrated state-of-the-art electronics enable Texys sensors and solutions to constantly push the boundaries of innovation. Texys is therefore proud of this partnership, which aims to develop zero-emission Endurance racing and drive forward international Motorsport through technological progress, in perfect harmony with Texys' extensive developments within the hydrogen ecosystem over the past 6 years.
“We are extremely proud to be an official partner to MissionH24, with a special announcement made during a very special week for international Motorsport at the 2025 Le Mans 24H! The whole Texys team is driven by the same desire to bring progress to all our customers through ever more innovative measurement solutions. Backed by over 25 years of expertise, our sensors are designed to meet our customers' requirements in extreme environments, without compromise. Performance for progress.”
Thomas BATAS-BJELIĆ, Business Support & Marketing Manager, Texys Group
“From the very beginning of the H24EVO design, we were keen to investigate and implement the latest cutting-edge technologies in harmony with this futuristic project. The partnership with Texys Group clearly reflects this vision and allows us to benefit from a variety of sophisticated sensors, the result of extensive experience in motorsport and other demanding applications.”
Bassel ASLAN, Technical Director of MissionH24
