The Mission H24 project has unveiled details on a new prototype of their hydrogen-electric racer which aims to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the first ever zero-emission entry.

New images of the zero-emission hydrogen endurance racer has showcased a vastly different aerodynamic design language, as further technical details and future milestones have been outlined by H24.

It will utilise a 400 kW lithium battery, with the integration of a motor and drivetrain targeted at a maximum 872 hp output, plus two hydrogen fuel tanks which will collectively store 7.8 kg of hydrogen at 700 bars, for a total weight of around 100 kg.

The target weight will be 1300 kg and a top speed of 320 kph, on Michelin tyres, as the ongoing objective to match GT3 levels of pace remains.

President of the ACO and co-president of the H24 project, Pierre Fillon, said: “After introducing hydrogen to the racetrack, MissionH24 is now entering a new phase: bringing hydrogen to competitive racing.

“This new prototype clearly intends to rival the other forms of energy in the field. Hydrogen technology is safe, reliable and can perform.

“The ambition is now to provide the first zero-emission winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Jean-Michel Bouresche, president of the H24 project, added: “MissionH24 begins a new chapter today: the design, building and development of a brand- new electric-hydrogen prototype in association with our technical partners TotalEnergies, Michelin, Symbio and Plastic Omnium.

Both H24 drivers Norman Nato and Stephane Richelmi also shared their thoughts on the announcement.

“I’m delighted to reach a new milestone in the development of this hydrogen prototype, said Nato.

“I joined the project five years ago and the technology has progressed. Each stage is a new leap forward.

“This new prototype will, I am sure, be another big step. I can’t wait to drive it.”

Richelmi, who drove the outgoing version for a demonstration lap around La Sarthe prior to the Centenary Le Mans start, said: “I’ve been fortunate to play a part in MissionH24’s continual progress since I joined in early 2021.

“As a driver, it’s a great opportunity to develop electric-hydrogen technology in racing and assist this transition towards more sustainable forms of energy.

“This new prototype is evidence that hydrogen is indeed one of tomorrow’s mobility solutions.”

The project has undergone progression since its inception in 2018, including track outings in the Michelin Le Mans Cup – including all four events in 2022 – composed of GT3 and LMP3 cars.

The general design will be finalised in March 2024, followed by a mock-up for June 2024, which will be the month hosting the 101st edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

From October 2024, power unit assembly and bench-testing will take place for the drivetrain and motor components, as January 2025 will mark the car’s assembly and its maiden track tests.

In the meantime, H24 have said the name will be shared via their social media on 13 November.

Formula 1 isn’t ruling out a hydrogen-powered future, although it’s unlikely to happen for some time, according to F1’s director of motor sport, Ross Brawn.

F1 is currently in the early stages of planning for its new power unit, which is expected to replace the current power unit in 2025.

That is likely to be very similar to the current 1.6L Hybrid-V6, albeit with a more powerful MGU-K, but dropping the expensive and technically complicated MGU-H, which new manufacturers aren’t keen on.

But beyond this next engine, F1 could look to a hydrogen fuel cell, but Brawn doesn’t see a fully-electric future for the sport.

“We’re the pinnacle of motorsport and you can’t get that bang without fossil fuels at that moment. We can’t get that energy density without fossil fuels and we can’t get it with electric,” Brawn told the BBC.

“We would need a six or seven tonne battery to be even able to last a race. So we want to find a solution. We’re motivated to do it because it also suits the world.

“We believe there needs to be many solutions to this environmental challenge and electric is a very key part of it, but it’s not the only solution. We want to develop a sustainable fuel, a net zero carbon fuel, and we want it to be plug-in, so that can take the place of a fuel anywhere in the world.

“Maybe hydrogen is the route that Formula 1 can have where we keep the noise, we keep the emotion but we move into a different solution.

“I don’t think it [the future of F1] will be battery. The nature of electric powered cars is now what Formula 1 wants, but who knows what the fans in 20 years want. We want fans to be proud of our sport. We can’t have a sport which is seen as a dinosaur and out of step. We will always be mindful of that.”

Brawn is also keen to understand what fans want from F1 and is keen to solve some of the current issues, such as fuel and tyre conservation.

“You have to engage the fans and the reason they come is they want to see great cars, great drivers doing battle.

“We don’t want [drivers] looking at power conservation modes and trying to make the battery last long enough to get to the end of the race or saving the battery up so in the last five laps, they can really go for it. That doesn’t seem to engage the fans.”

Six-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton believes the championship is likely to move towards electric power into the future.

Formula 1 regulations have gradually reduced the size of the internal combustion engine (ICE), opting to move to a V6 turbo hybrid formula in 2014.

With the inception of Formula E, which is set to begin its seventh season in 2021, F1 currently cannot move to an electric powertrain due to an exclusivity agreement with the FIA.

Despite this, there is nothing to stop F1 continuing its move towards a smaller ICE whilst increasing the capacity for hybrid power – much like the highly successful 2.0l V4 Porsche 919 hybrid from the World Endurance Championship or even a move towards hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“In terms of the sport, we already come from a V10, to a V8, to a V6, ultimately I think this sport is going to have to continue moving in the direction of going electric at some stages, as does the whole car industry.

“So we’ve got to continue to innovate in that direction. It’s probably not going to happen in my time here but the future of Formula 1, I guess.”

Hamilton also wants to see F1 continue to increase its efforts on its own environmental impact from the various areas which work in the paddock.

“I don’t have all the answers laid out. I’m aware [of] that, particularly pre-covid when we would go to all these races, there was a huge amount of waste that would come away from a weekend, from the food, the hospitality services, from just plastic bottles…

“I can’t even imagine how many thousands of plastic bottles are left in those places each weekend. I think Formula 1 should definitely be working [on that].

“I’m sure they are, when you do these events in these different countries you work with the organisers to make sure that you operate as cleanly as possible.

“We should minimise waste.”