Split Grids Merge as HoloProto Heads Into Le Mans

Le Mans, 30 May - The 2026 HoloProto season reaches the mid-stage this weekend as the Le Mans 600 hosts Round 2 of 3 of the HoloProto World Series Qualifiers alongside Round 3 of 5 for both the Japan and International qualifying championships. With championship momentum beginning to build after the Ridin On Dreams GP at Fuji, the Circuit de la Sarthe now presents one of the toughest tests on the calendar for drivers chasing Tsuyo qualification.

The Le Mans weekend will introduce several major sporting format changes. For the World Series Qualifiers, the four-split format used in Fuji has been temporarily merged into two larger fields. Drivers from Fuji Splits A and B will now compete together in World Split A, while Fuji Splits C and D combine into World Split B. The championship will return to its standard four-split format at Mandalika, making Le Mans a unique challenge with heavier traffic, larger grids and greater strategic pressure.

Each race will cover 300 kilometres over 23 laps around Circuit de la Sarthe. The weekend will also utilise the extended points system in a halved-value format, with points awarded from first to thirtieth place. Victory awards 200 points, while even 30th place earns a single point, ensuring midfield consistency could prove decisive in qualification battles.

The top category battle in World Split A is expected to centre around Nakiri Ayame representative Hoshizono Ryo in the Oreca 07 after his dominant Fuji victory placed him atop the standings. Airani Iofifteen representative Dan Evans in another Oreca arrives level on wins after a strong opening weekend, while Fuwawa Abyssgard representative Tawan Bhumin and Shishiro Botan representative Kaminari Riba remain close enough to challenge immediately at Le Mans.

Usada Pekora representative Danilo Goyena, Momosuzu Nene representative Mohamed Shaqif Redza and Tsunomaki Watame representative Mohamed Khashiu also enter the French endurance classic within striking distance of the championship lead. Meanwhile, EN and ID competitors such as Gigi Murin representative Hiyuta Asano, Raora Panthera representative Mathias Zacarias who was recently called to replace Enzio Ferrari who now represents Kureiji Ollie, and Ninomae Ina’nis representative Takeda Adachi will look to establish themselves as genuine World Tsuyo contenders against the increasingly competitive Japanese field.

The merged format will likely intensify traffic management throughout the race, especially with Le Mans’ long straights and aggressive slipstream battles expected to produce dense packs into the heavy braking zones. Drivers capable of balancing outright pace with endurance discipline are expected to gain the greatest advantage.

World Split B carries equal intrigue, particularly with the continued spotlight on the DEV_IS class entries. Koganei Niko representative Seo Byeong-Eun and Otonose Kanade representative Saerin arrive as championship leaders after their Fuji victories in the Ligier JSP217, while Mizumiya Su representative Rudy and Todoroki Hajime representative Masa Raido remain among the favourites following their exceptional pace during the opening round.

However, the DEV_IS Ligier entries now race with an additional 80 kilograms of ballast following their Fuji performances, potentially reshaping the competitive order at a circuit heavily dependent on straight-line efficiency and tyre management. The Oreca 07 runners from the JP, EN and ID classes are expected to benefit significantly from the reduced weight disadvantage along the Mulsanne straight.

That opens opportunities for challengers such as Pavolia Reine representative Ryan Kagawa, IRyS representative Sven Jensen and Nerissa Ravencroft representative Yuri-Rafael de Oliveira to close the gap in the standings. Hoshimachi Suisei representative Daniel Barguer, Kazama Iroha representative Ed Skye and Akai Haato representative Airi Nakamura also enter Le Mans needing strong performances to remain firmly within qualification contention heading into Mandalika.

Attention will also fall on Koseki Bijou representative Mohd Shazren Redza in the Oreca 07 after a difficult Fuji weekend yielded only minor points. With the extended scoring system rewarding deep finishes throughout the field, Le Mans may provide an opportunity to rebuild momentum in both the World and INT standings.

The Circuit de la Sarthe has historically rewarded patience more than outright aggression, and the combination of merged grids, extended points and ballast-adjusted machinery could create one of the most unpredictable weekends of the HoloProto season so far. With only one World Qualifier round remaining after Le Mans, every point earned this weekend will prove decisive in determining who advances to the Tsuyo Series later this year.