European Le Mans Series (ELMS) 2024 – all you need to know

The lowdown: European Le Mans series 2024 line-up

There are three classifications for the 43-strong line up for the 2024 series of races; the top level Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) is for teams independent of both manufacturers and engine suppliers and includes a Pro/Am section. The top two LMP2 cars will be invited to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There is a record number of 22 LMP2 entries this year.

The LMP3 section is regarded as the training ground for FIA WEC participation involving entry level prototype cars.

The LMGT (Le Mans Grand Tourisme) is for road cars and a new edition of this class, the LMGT3 category, will see entries from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche on the grid.  The renowned all-female Iron Dames team is set to compete in the ELMS GT3 Class with Lamborghini and Danish driver Michelle Gatting is the first to be confirmed in the team.

Promoting diversity in motor racing and getting more women involved in the sport is a key objective of FIA WEC supported by Avis. There are also opportunities to turn a passion for motor racing into careers at every level from mechanics to engineers to race officials. Find out what it’s like to volunteer in motor racing here.

Barcelona – Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya – 14 April

Where is Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya?
Completed in 1991, the Barcelona Catalunya Circuit is 27km north-east of Barcelona in Montmeló which has a fascinating and historic centre dating back to Roman times. If you are renting locally from Avis Granollers, the 7km drive to the circuit via the C35 highway will take around 12 minutes.

How to get to the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya
If you are flying into Barcelona to watch the race, the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya racetrack is just a 40min drive north from Avis at Barcelona El Prat Airport via the B20 and C33 motorway which you leave at the Montmeló exit. Alternatively pick up a car from one of our other Avis Barcelona locations.

Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya weather
By the time of the ELMS race held at Barcelona Circuit in April, the weather should be warming up with potential highs of around 20 degrees. However, evenings are still cool and rain is possible.   

Which airport is closes to the Barcelona Circuit?
The nearest airport to Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya is Barcelona El Prat Airport.

What is the Barcelona Circuit like?
With a long straight and mix of corners and gradients, variety is the key factor at Barcelona Circuit which makes it a popular winter test track.

Highlight of the Barcelona Circuit?
The mix of corners including hairpin and chicanes, the first corner after the start is Elf, which follows a long straight and offers potential for overtaking.

Planning a road trip around Barcelona Circuit?
Feeling inspired by the action at Barcelona racetrack? Our experts have compiled some great road trips across the region including best road trips in Catalonia.

Buy tickets: Find out more and buy tickets

Le Castellet, France – 5 May

Where is Le Castellet circuit?
The racetrack Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet is in Var near Marseille in the South of France. If you are renting from Avis Marseille Provence Airport get ready to enjoy unforgettable scenery on your drive along the French Riviera.

How to get to Circuit Paul Richard, Le Castellet
The Paul Ricard Circuit if 65km to the east of Marseille Provence Airport via the A7 and A50, joining the A502 at the Aubagne Sud/Toulon exit before continuing along the winding Route National 8 on the climb to the racetrack.

Le Castellet weather – expect sunny days with temperatures in the low 20s in early May.

Which airport is closest to Le Castellet? Toulon’s Hyeres airport is just 55km away and has an Avis rental team. Marseilles Provence Airport has the widest selection of international flights and Nice Airport is a little further along the coast, 120km from the circuit.

What’s the Paul Ricard circuit like? Named after the drinks magnate Paul Ricard who funded the construction of the circuit in 1969, the track here has an even spread of low, medium and high speed corners making it one of the world’s most popular test tracks.

Highlight of the Paul Ricard Le Castellet circuit?

We’d say the bends which include the Signes Curve followed immediately by the tantalising double righthander at Beausset.

Planning a road trip around Paul Ricard Circuit/ Le Castellet?
Feeling inspired by the action at Le Castellet? Our experts have compiled some great road trips across the region including the 10 best drives on the Cote D’Azure.

Get tickets: Find out more

Imola, Italy – 7 July

This year the circuit at Imola, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, features in the FIA World Endurance Championships in April as well as the European Le Mans Series so you’ve two opportunities to enjoy top level endurance motor sport in this beautiful part of Italy. Get the lowdown here on how to get to Imola circuit, what to expect plus advice on creating your own memorable road trip with our team at Avis Bologna.

Get tickets to ELMS at Imola:
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Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Belgium – 24 August

High octane endurance motorsport returns to Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in August following the exciting third leg of the FIA World Endurance Championships here in May. Check out our guide to everything you need to know about Spa-Francorchamps Circuit from how to get here to what to expect in terms of the circuit and the weather.

If you are planning a trip to the European Le Mans Series here in Belgium, August is the perfect time to explore the area around the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in the beautiful hills of the wooded Belgian Ardennes region. Hire a car from our team at Avis Liege and plan a road trip around Spa-Francorchamps, with some great drives compiled by our experts.

Want to buy tickets to the European Le Mans Series at Spa-Francorchamps?
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Mugello, Italy – 29 September

Where is Mugello racetrack?
Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello is in the beautiful Sieve River Valley in Tuscany, an easy 40km north of Avis in the city of Florence.

How to get to Mugello circuit:
The Mugello circuit is easily reached via the A1 motorway between Bologna to the north and Florence to the south and is just 15km from the Barbarino Mugello exit.

Mugello weather:
By the end of September, you can expect warm days between 22-27 degrees but cooler evening temperatures.

Which airport is closest to Mugello?
The nearest airport to Mugello Circuit with Avis rental is Florence Airport while Bologna Airport is 90km to the north of the racetrack.

What’s the Mugello circuit like? 
Deep in the Tuscan hills, the Mugello Circuit is regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful racetracks. The circuit offers plenty of variety with slow and quick corners and long straights as well as a steep, 50-metre change in altitude.

Highlight of the Mugello circuit?
The height differences in this undulating circuit described by drivers as a roller-coaster.

Planning a road trip in Mugello?
Feeling inspired by the action at Mugello racetrack? Our experts have compiled a great Tuscan road trip for you to enjoy.

Buy tickets
Find out more and buy tickets

Portimão, Portugal – 19 October

Where is Portimão racetrack?
Algarve International Circuit/ Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA) is on the sunny Algarve in Portimão, southern Portugal. Portimão is a beautiful coastal town 280km south of Lisbon.

Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your road trip to the races from Avis Praia Da Rocha Portimão, or see our other locations at Avis Portugal.

How to get to Portimão
To get to the Algarve International Circuit (Autódromo Internacional do Algarve) in Portimão, the nearest Avis car rental location is located at Praia Da Rocha Portimão, Portimão. You can also hire a car from our Avis rental location at Faro Airport. The racetrack at Portimão, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is 15 mins from the port city of Portimão. It is 4.5 km north of the A22 motorway, via the exit at Mexilhoeira Grande.

Portimão weather
Portimão and The Algarve are blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year making it a popular year-round destination.

Which airport is closest to Portimão?
The nearest airport to Portimão, Algarve International Circuit, is Faro Airport (FAO) which is 85km and approximately one hour’s drive away. Faro Airport or Gago Coutinho Airport as it is known locally, is just four kilometres west of Faro in Portugal. It is described as the ‘gateway’ to the Algarve.

Lisbon Airport is 288km to the north of Portimão so another option is to fly into the capital and hire from Avis Lisbon Airport to enjoy your own long-distance drive across the stunning Portuguese countryside.

What’s the Portimão circuit like?
The Algarve International Circuit (Autódromo Internacional do Algarve) is one of the high-tech circuits on the motor racing calendar. It was built in 2008 and runs over a technically challenging 4.6 kilometres with 16 turns, climbs, descents, and banks.

Highlight of the Portimão circuit:
 The driver changeover is one of the most exciting and crucial aspects of endurance motorsport. There are 42 pit garages at Portimão

Planning a road trip from Portimão?
Feeling inspired by the action at Portimão racetrack? Our experts have compiled a great Algarve road trip adventure for you to enjoy.

Get tickets
Find out more and book tickets for Portimao’s European Le Mans Series.