Pierre Fillon: A enthusiast to bring sustainability to 24 Hours of Le Mans

Jhonattan González — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

A few days ago, a major turning point was reached for sustainable technology in the racing world. At the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, two hydrogen-powered vehicles offered an exhibition to the audience which marked a new era, where fossil fuels are being left behind.

Behind the scenes was Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the most important automobile organization in France.

Fillon is at the helm of the highly ambitious Mission H24 project, launched in 2019, when the partnership between Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT), the Formula 1 team’s technical support, and Oreca, a French chassis and engine builder, was introduced to manufacture the prototypes to be used on the Hydrogen class, starting at Le Mans in 2024.

The World Endurance Championship also has a new top class this year, called Le Mans Hypercars (LMH) hybrids, where Toyota has already introduced its car for this season; Peugeot announced that will join in 2022, and Ferrari’s triumphant and surprising return, which will be at Le Mans in 2023, after leaving endurance racing for 50 years.

A History-Making Announcement

For the ACO executive, the addition of hydrogen to Le Mans vehicles represents unprecedented news considering the broad public appeal of the Mission H24.

“With Oreca, a legendary participant in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, a company successfully involved into motorsport, ACO brings together the best of endurance and technology to guarantee maximum performance for the hydrogen category in 2024,” added Fillon.

“This collaboration proves the compelling decisions made by ACO regarding the future of motorsport, and underlines our ambition to have a carbon-free racing for future generations,” he pointed out.

Brilliant and Surprising Profile

One side that few know about Pierre Fillon is that he is an ophthalmologist by degree, but all his life has been linked to the world of motorsport. Since 2012, he has been president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, responsible for organizing the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Fillon is also a racing driver. Having studied at several French driving schools (including Le Mans), he has been participating in the V Series of the French Federation since 2009.

A motorsport enthusiast in general and cars since childhood, he attended his first 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1966. Since then, he has not missed a single edition of the great event from the international motorsport calendar.

He joined the Automobile Club de l’Ouest in 1995 before becoming Director in December 2003, a Steering Committee member in November 2006, and took over as President on May 31, 2012.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Pierre Fillon: A enthusiast to bring sustainability to 24 Hours of Le Mans appeared first on Green Racing News.

Hydrogen Vehicles Impact at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Jhonattan González — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:41:59 +0000

The 24 Hours of Le Mans offered a glimpse into the future of the legendary race regarding the technology to be used in the vehicles. Before the start of the race, the hydrogen-powered Mission H24 offered an exhibition lap, where Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) confirmed its commitment to sustainable fuel.

The prototype’s presentation represents an evolution towards performance, making it lighter, more powerful and aerodynamic. Total Energies and ACO are also partners in a project developing hydrogen cars, built by the Swiss company Green GT. The initial goal was to introduce a specific category at Le Mans from 2024, but this has been postponed until 2025, due to the health crisis.

“The hydrogen choice is part of our mission, and a planetary challenge to combat the major issues of our time. We cannot continue with motorsports not adapted to environmental imperatives, and therefore, we must move towards zero emissions,” explained Pierre Fillon, president of ACO.

2022 Breakthrough

The Le Mans organizers announced that 100% renewable fuels will be used from next year. They will be produced by Visin refinery and will be based on bioethanol, with wine leftovers from French agriculture and raw materials from the circular economy. With this step, they expect a 65% immediate reduction in CO2 emissions from cars on the tracks.

The Electric Future

Electric motors are on the rise. To keep attracting audiences and sponsors, FIA major events are one by one adopting so-called renewable fueling.

The Formula E Championship was launched in 2014. From this year, the World Touring Car Championship includes the Electric Car Class (ETCR), and the World Rallycross Championship (eRX2).

In order to reduce pollution, manufacturers are also relying on hybrid engines, combining electric and thermal technologies, so Le Mans decided not to be slow and began making decisions in this direction.