Is Toyota’s hydrogen racing concept the future of Le Mans?

What we have here folks is Toyota’s GR H2 Racing Concept, which - if things go according to plan - could bring hydrogen technology to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in just three years’ time.

You see, the race’s organisers are working on a zero-emissions category that initially envisaged hydrogen fuel cell cars competing against each other for overall victory.

But the key thing here is that the GR H2 is not an FCEV. Oh no, this thing’s powered by hydrogen combustion. And this distinction matters because it would preserve Le Mans’ thunderous and defining levels of LOUDNESS.

“The sound and torque and dynamics, it’s all there,” explained company chairman Akio Toyoda on the eve of last weekend’s race. “Personally my goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in motorsport without sacrificing performance or excitement.

“Le Mans is a very special place for Toyota, a place where we not only compete in one of the world’s most celebrated races, but a place where we can push the boundaries of technologies. A place where we can realise the future.”

Sounds like our kind of thinking. And good of him to stick to the script, considering that only days beforehand his team had been hamstrung by surprise Balance of Performance changes that put their car at a disadvantage to eventual winners Ferrari and its 499P.

So what do we actually know about the GR H2? Er, not a lot for the time being. Toyota says it’s 5,100mm long and 2,050mm, but the finer details about the powertrain are yet to be publicised.

At least we won’t go back to the days of Toyota racing itself at La Sarthe: Alpine is also working on a hydrogen-powered endurance racer, albeit of the quieter FCEV variety. Toyoda hopes others will follow.

“We’re grateful to the ACO and Le Mans for providing this unique opportunity to share our effort with the world, and we look forward to our new GR H2 race car in the new Le Mans H2 class in the future,” he added. “This is indeed a special day for Toyota, and an even more meaningful one for Le Mans.”

What do we reckon, could hydrogen finally have its day?