WEC vs ELMS: The Key Differences in LMP2

When it comes to endurance racing, few categories have provided as much action and accessibility as LMP2. It’s the class where professional and amateur drivers meet, where manufacturers and privateers find common ground, and where fans get some of the closest racing on the planet.

But not all LMP2 racing is the same. While the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series both feature LMP2 machinery, there are some crucial differences in how the class is run in each series. 

With Le Mans Ultimate and the upcoming European Le Mans Expansion set to bring these distinctions to sim racers, let’s break down what separates WEC LMP2 from ELMS LMP2.

The Common Ground: Oreca 07 Gibson

Before we look at the differences, it’s important to highlight what’s the same.

Both WEC and ELMS grids exclusively use the Oreca 07 chassis. While other LMP2 chassis exist on paper (like Dallara and Ligier), Oreca has long been the dominant and, by now, the only realistic choice.

Both series run the Gibson GK428 4.2L naturally aspirated V8, producing around 600 horsepower and the cars are near-identical mechanically, with differences coming down to regulations, tyres, and Balance of Performance (BoP) measures rather than hardware.

So if the cars are basically the same, what makes WEC and ELMS LMP2 different?

Tyres: Goodyear vs Michelin

This is the single biggest difference between WEC and ELMS LMP2.

WEC LMP2: All teams run on Goodyear tyres. The FIA/ACO mandated a single supplier deal, and Goodyear has exclusive rights in the world championship.

ELMS LMP2: Here, it’s Michelin that supplies the tyres. The French brand has a long history with the series, and their compounds provide a slightly different balance of performance, durability, and strategy.

For teams and drivers, this means switching between series requires adjustment, as the tyre characteristics (particularly warm-up and degradation) can differ quite a bit. For sim racers, this will be a fascinating detail to feel once both are represented in Le Mans Ultimate.

Performance and Spec Differences

Perhaps the most important difference between WEC and ELMS LMP2 is how the cars are restricted – or not.

When the Hypercar class was introduced to WEC, the ACO and FIA needed to ensure LMP2 wouldn’t overlap too closely in performance. LMP2 had always been fast enough to threaten the top class at Le Mans, so restrictions were applied:

Reduced power: WEC Oreca 07s run with output limited to around 560 horsepower, compared to ~600 hp in their unrestricted form.

Aerodynamic changes: WEC cars use a low-downforce aero kit (mainly based on Le Mans configuration) to trim performance and reduce cornering speeds.

Weight: Minor adjustments to minimum weight have also been part of the balancing.

The net result is that WEC LMP2s are slower by roughly 2 – 4 seconds per lap compared to the same car running to ELMS specifications, depending on track layout. 

For example, at circuits like Spa or Monza, the gap is closer to two seconds; at tighter, more technical circuits, it can stretch to nearly four.

In contrast, ELMS LMP2s are effectively unrestricted. They run at their full performance spec:

• 600 hp from the Gibson V8
• Higher downforce configurations
• Faster lap times across the board

This means that ELMS LMP2s not only look and sound more aggressive, but they are also the fastest expression of the category currently in competition.

For sim racers, this distinction is significant: the same Oreca 07 will feel like two different cars depending on whether you’re in WEC or ELMS trim. The WEC car is more about long-term consistency, careful energy management, and battling through Hypercar traffic. The ELMS car, by contrast, is rawer, faster, and far more of a sprint weapon over its 4-hour race distance.

Summary: WEC vs ELMS LMP2

To recap:

• Same chassis, same engine → Oreca 07 Gibson V8.
• Different tyres → Goodyear in WEC, Michelin in ELMS.
• Grid sizes → Smaller in WEC, larger and more competitive in ELMS.
• Race formats → WEC focuses on long endurance (6–24h), ELMS runs 4-hour sprints.
• Driver lineups → Pro-Am mixes in both, but ELMS sees more up-and-coming drivers.
• Performance → WEC cars are restricted for Hypercar separation; ELMS cars are quicker.

Why It Matters in Sim Racing

With the European Le Mans DLCs, Le Mans Ultimate will soon give sim racers the chance to experience both worlds: the tyre, performance, and strategy differences that define WEC vs ELMS LMP2.

It’s not just two identical cars with different stickers – it’s two subtly different racing experiences shaped by tyres, rules, and competition. Whether you prefer the long-haul tactics of WEC or the elbows-out racing of ELMS, LMP2 is going to be one of the most rewarding classes to master.