Spa-Francorchamps puts hydrogen centre stage: from demo runs to a teachers' forum

During the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps, hydrogen took centre stage once again — both on track and in the fan zone. The circuit reaffirmed its role as a proving ground for hydrogen mobility in motorsport.

On-track demonstrations

On Friday, a hydrogen-powered bus completed zero-emission demo laps around the legendary circuit, including the iconic Raidillon climb. When parked, the bus used its onboard fuel cells to power the big screen in the fan zone — a tangible example of hydrogen as a mobile energy source. On Saturday, just before the start of the six-hour race, the Toyota GR Yaris H2 Concept completed the Lap of Honour. This car doesn't run on a fuel cell, but on a hydrogen combustion engine.

Hydrogen Village in the fan zone

Off-track, visitors to the Hydrogen Village got an interactive introduction to hydrogen technology. The centrepiece was the H24EVO, the latest prototype from MissionH24 — the joint programme between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and H24Project. This hydrogen-electric prototype aims to launch a dedicated hydrogen class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the WEC from 2028. Other highlights included:

• an educational Michelin tyre made from 71% recycled materials
• remote-controlled hydrogen cars from Horizon Educational
• a Toyota display on its broader hydrogen strategy
• hands-on training from Technifutur

A forum for teachers

For the third year running, the ACO, FIA WEC, MissionH24 and partners including Hydrogen Europe Research and the Automotive Skills Alliance organised a hydrogen forum for European teachers. The programme combined theory with practical sessions and aims to equip the next generation of technicians with a working knowledge of hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Spa as a starting point

Spa-Francorchamps has been pivotal to MissionH24 since 2018, when the first hydrogen prototype was unveiled here. The circuit also hosted the first mobile hydrogen refuelling station from TotalEnergies and public tests of successors such as the LMPH2G and the Alpine Alpenglow. For the organisers, the message is clear: endurance racing wants to be not just faster, but cleaner — and hydrogen is firmly on pole position.

Sources:

• Fuel Cells Works: At Spa, hydrogen for fans and research (May 8, 2026)
• FIA WEC: Spa shines spotlight on sustainability
• MissionH24: A Spa, l'hydrogène pour les fans et la recherche
• Hydrogen Today: L'hydrogène fera à nouveau son show à Spa