Pascal Vasselon, technical director of Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, is confident there is “no roadblock” to achieving WEC promoter the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s target of having hydrogen-powered machinery competing on equal terms with the existing cars in the Hypercar class from '26.
“Everything is possible with a technological push,” Vasselon told Autosport.
“There is no roadblock if the technological level is allowed — it should be feasible.
“In most cases, the level of performance of a racing car is determined by the regulations."
Vasselon’s comments have come after ACO president Pierre Fillon firmed up plans for a new hydrogen class at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the WEC at Fuji last month.
He made several key announcements about a class that has been in planning since 2018 ahead of the Fuji 24 Hours, in which Toyota was competing with the latest version of its hydrogen-powered Corolla H2 Concept.
They included the opening up of the category to hydrogen-powered combustion-engined cars as well as fuel cells for which it was originally conceived, while he also stated a desire to see all cars in the Hypercar class running on Hydrogen by 2030.
Vasselon said that combustion made more sense for racing applications than using a hydrogen fuel cell.
“This technology is lighter, simpler and a bit better suited to racing applications,” he explained.
Source: Autosport