The LMP2 class at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans is shaping up to be one of its most competitive editions in recent memory, with 19 Oreca 07 entries featuring an unusually high concentration of Hypercar and GTP-level talent stepping down from the top tier.
A combination of manufacturer reshuffles in the Hypercar paddock, including programme pauses and exits, has freed up a significant pool of factory drivers. That, combined with the increasing appeal of Le Mans’ intermediate category for IMSA regulars, has elevated LMP2 into a de facto showcase of prototype pedigree.
Below is a consolidated overview of the most prominent Hypercar/GTP-experienced drivers competing in LMP2.
Hypercar/Prototype Talent in LMP2
| Driver | Team | Sub-class | Top-class background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renger van der Zande | DKR Engineering | Pro-Am | IMSA GTP (Cadillac) |
| Laurin Heinrich | CrowdStrike APR | Pro-Am | IMSA GTP (Porsche 963) |
| Kakunoshin Ohta | Proton Competition | Pro-Am | Acura IMSA GTP |
| Kevin Estre | TDS Racing | Pro-Am | Porsche Hypercar / GTE |
| Mikkel Jensen | United Autosports | Main | Peugeot Hypercar |
| Julien Andlauer | Duqueine Team | Main | Porsche Hypercar |
| Tom Dillmann | Inter Europol | Main | WEC Hypercar (ByKolles/Vanwall) |
| Nick Yelloly | Inter Europol | Main | Acura GTP |
| Romain Dumas | RD Limited | Pro-Am | LMP1 overall winner |
| Tristan Vautier | RD Limited | Pro-Am | IMSA GTP / WEC Hypercar |
| Dane Cameron | AO by TF | Pro-Am | IMSA GTP champion |
| Matthieu Vaxiviere | AF Corse | Pro-Am | Alpine Hypercar |
| Nico Müller | Inter Europol | Main | Peugeot / Porsche Hypercar |
Key Driver Spotlights
Renger van der Zande – DKR Engineering
The experienced Dutchman returns for his ninth consecutive Le Mans start, racing alongside John Farano and Sebastián Álvarez. A multiple Daytona 24 Hours winner with Cadillac, van der Zande remains one of IMSA’s most seasoned prototype specialists. While Le Mans success has eluded him, he arrives with renewed motivation as he evaluates options for the post-2026 GTP landscape.
Laurin Heinrich – CrowdStrike Racing by APR
The German makes his full Le Mans debut after a rapid rise through IMSA’s top class with the Porsche 963. Having already claimed victories at Daytona, Sebring and Laguna Seca, Heinrich represents the next generation of factory-level prototype talent.
Kakunoshin Ohta – Proton Competition
A Super Formula frontrunner with limited prototype mileage, Ohta is one of the more intriguing additions. His Le Mans outing marks a rare crossover from Japanese single-seater success into endurance racing’s premier stage.
Kevin Estre – TDS Racing
Perhaps the most high-profile LMP2 entrant, Estre returns to the category for the first time in nearly a decade following Porsche’s withdrawal from Hypercar contention. A Le Mans GTE Pro winner and Hypercar runner-up, his pace and racecraft make him a clear benchmark.
Mikkel Jensen – United Autosports
A future McLaren Hypercar driver in preparation, Jensen brings significant Peugeot Hypercar experience and IMSA pedigree. His presence underscores LMP2’s role as a bridge class for top-tier manufacturer prospects.
Tom Dillmann & Nick Yelloly – Inter Europol Competition
The reigning LMP2 elite pairing brings together championship-winning consistency and GTP-winning speed. Dillmann is a proven endurance specialist, while Yelloly continues to balance Acura IMSA duties with European prototype commitments.
Romain Dumas – RD Limited
A two-time overall Le Mans winner, Dakar Rally competitor and Pikes Peak record holder, Dumas returns with his self-run programme, adding veteran prestige to the grid.
Dane Cameron – AO by TF
One of IMSA’s most decorated modern prototypes drivers, Cameron continues his dominance across multiple platforms after success in Cadillac, Acura and Porsche machinery.
Matthieu Vaxiviere – AF Corse
The Frenchman transitions from Alpine’s Hypercar programme into LMP2 competition, bringing valuable top-class experience and previous Le Mans podium pedigree.
Nico Müller – Inter Europol Competition
Returning after missing the 2025 edition, Müller adds further Hypercar credibility following stints with Peugeot and Porsche programmes.
A Deepest LMP2 Field in Years
Beyond the headline names, seasoned endurance racers such as Mathias Beche, Ben Hanley and Oliver Jarvis further reinforce the depth of the category, each bringing prior LMP1 or DPi success.
With factory drivers, endurance specialists and rising stars all converging on a single class, LMP2 at Le Mans is no longer merely a stepping stone—it has become one of the most talent-dense prototype grids in world motorsport.
