During European Hydrogen Week in Brussels, held from October 26 to 28, MissionH24, a collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and H24Project, welcomed numerous visitors to its stand. The team showcased the program’s journey since 2018, highlighting its pioneering role in the decarbonization of motorsport. On display was the LMPH2G, the first prototype to utilize a fuel cell and gaseous hydrogen, alongside large screens presenting the latest prototype, the H24EVO, which features an internal combustion engine supplied by TOYOTA Racing and runs on liquid hydrogen. Bassel Aslan, Technical Director of MissionH24, noted that the first track outings are scheduled for 2028. He further explained that the Hypercar category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be open from 2030 to hydrogen prototypes, whether powered by fuel cells or hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. A conversational hologram, a setup created by the firm James McQueen Design, allowed for interaction with attendees, who were also delighted to test “DiscoverHy”, a small educational vehicle developed in partnership with AdvancedH2Valley, a consortium in the Grand Ouest region that includes the ACO. Contributing to this research on decarbonizing motorsport, Michelin showcased a tire composed of 71% renewable or recycled materials.
Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO and Co-President of MissionH24; Kazuki Nakajima, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Vice-Chairman of TOYOTA Racing; Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership; Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe; and Bassel Alsan, Technical Director of MissionH24, led a conference on the impact of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the deployment of hydrogen, addressing an audience composed of stakeholders from the hydrogen sector and representatives of European institutions.
“As President of the ACO, I am very pleased to participate in this European Hydrogen Week in Brussels. As an organizer of races—such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours Motos—and as an automobile club, we are deeply concerned with the subject of energy. Energy costs, energy autonomy (or its counterpart, ‘energy dependence’), the energy transition, and energy storage are all critical issues upon which the 24 Hours of Le Mans focuses. Energy is essential; it must be sufficient and accessible to all—and it must be clean. In racing, on our circuits at Le Mans, we work tirelessly with our partners—manufacturers, energy companies, and suppliers—to test new solutions for decarbonizing both competition and mobility. For several years now, Valérie, Jorgo, and I have been sharing our work, particularly regarding our hydrogen deployment program. Like all of you here, we are well aware of the potential that hydrogen holds—both in the current geopolitical context and for the protection of the environment.”
Kazuki Nakajima, a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Vice Chairman of TOYOTA Racing, shared his experience from last June, when he became the first driver to take the TOYOTA TR LH2 Racing Prototype out on the Le Mans circuit.
“For TOYOTA, motorsport is a true laboratory for new technologies. We want to demonstrate the value of hydrogen for zero-CO2-emission racing.”
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, concluded his remarks before an audience that had just been given a sneak preview of a clip from the official 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans film:
“Motorsport makes hydrogen attractive. Through the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we are demonstrating both passion and patience.”
Two assets currently essential for the deployment of hydrogen.