LM P2: a class rejuvenated

Following the regulations changes, three cars will be represented in the ELMS: Dallara P217, Ligier JSP217 and Oreca 07, all powered by Gibson in compliance with the regulations. In all, the LM P2 class will be made up of 13 cars.

In the head European Le Mans Series class there will be several new teams, underscoring the ongoing allure of endurance racing. Naturally, mainstays can be counted on like DragonSpeed (Oreca, one win in 2016), G-Drive Racing (Oreca), Algarve Pro Racing (Ligier), IDEC Sport Racing (Ligier), SMP Racing (Dallara) and Panis-Barthez Competition (Ligier). Meanwhile, up-and-coming teams are emerging such as Racing Team Netherland led by 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jan Lammers, and High Class Racing, both with a Dallara. Some have already cut their teeth in LM P3 like Graff (Oreca), Tockwith Motorsport (Ligier), Cetilar Villorba Corse and defending champion United Autosports (Ligier), and have decided to move up a level. This will be a class to watch!

LM P3: a full grid once again

After 2016's 20-car grid, this year there will be 16 cars at the start. Fifteen of them will be Ligier JS P3s, and the team named after the four-time WTCC World Champion (World Touring Car Championship), Yvan Muller Racing, will enter among others a Norma M 30 (subject to approval prior to the first round at Silverstone). The United Autosports team will enter two cars to defend its 2016 title with Mark Patterson at the wheel (four participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans). The battles between all these teams promises to be as stunning as they were last year.

LM GTE: Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche

The LM GTE grid will be comprised of seven cars. The champion, Beechdean AMR (Aston Martin V8 Vantage), will defend its title. Last year, the British team went head-to-head with JMW Motorsports which will be present once again with its Ferrari 458 Italia. There will also be two new Ferrari 488 GTEs (Spirit of Race), two Porsche 911 RSRs (Proton Competition) and a second Aston Martin V8 Vantage entered by Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup champions, the TF Sport team.

ELMS Entry List

ACO President Pierre Fillon: "As the leading continental series for endurance racing, it is very pleasing to see such a strong grid for the 2017 European Le Mans Series. The ELMS represents an important step in the ladder of endurance racing and it continues to attract top teams and top drivers from around the world to compete on six of the best circuits in Europe, with a return to Monza and Portimão this year. We are looking forward to the 2017 season."

European Le Mans Series CEO Gérard Neveu: "2017 marks the fifth season since the relaunch of the ELMS and the series continues to provide the best platform for endurance racing anywhere in the world. The six race calendar provides a great mix of top class circuits across Europe to challenge the teams and drivers and provide some great action packed racing for the fans, both at the track and watching around the world on TV or via the live streaming. We have a great mix of teams and manufacturers in the new LM P2 class with Dallara, Ligier and Oreca. We have Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche in LM GTE and with 16 cars, the LM P3 class will provide some great drama in 2017. This season has the potential to be the best yet in the long history of the European Le Mans Series."

2017 Calendar (four-hour rounds):

28 and 29 March - Official Testing, Monza (Italy)

15 April - Silverstone (U.K.)

14 May - Monza (Italy)

23 July - Red Bull Ring (Austria)

27 August - Le Castellet (France)

24 September - WEC Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 

22 October - Portimão (Portugal)

Photo: The Panis-Barthez Compétition team's Ligier will be a favourite of this new ELMS season.