At first, many people thought it was a joke or a mirage. Truth is, the DeltaWing might very well be the future of auto racing.

And we're not talking about a concept, here: this car is already making a mark on the track and the racing scene including the biggest and most renowned endurance event in the world – the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For sure, the DeltaWing is a sight to behold and looks like nothing else on the road right now. But let's focus on the technical aspect, if you don't mind. Its developer explained how auto racing has to reclaim its rightful place and lead the way in terms of new technologies. The team of engineers started from scratch and brainstormed tons of interesting ideas.

Photo: WR12

Their plan was to create an innovative race car powered by a relatively modest 300-hp Nissan engine and helped by super-efficient aerodynamics. The DeltaWing can reach a speed of 300 km/h in a straight line. The long, wind-slicing body generates little to no drag, while the massive delta-shaped floor produces the downforce, resulting in a race car with no wings.

The two tiny wheels up front are close to each other and make the nose of the car quite sharp and nimble. The entire tail has been carefully designed to ensure maximum overall balance, meaning no understeering or oversteering.

Michelin came up with unique tires for the DeltaWing. They can last through ten relays at Le Mans, or a distance of about 1,500 kilometres, whereas a normal race tire seldom tops 500 kilometres.

That's good news for environmentalists, much like the fact that the DeltaWing burns roughly half the amount of fuel of an LMP1 car. So despite its small 40-litre fuel tank, the DeltaWing can travel the same distance between pit stops as the mighty Audis and Toyotas!

I'll admit that I was one of those who initially mocked the project, but I have since come to realize that the DeltaWing is incredibly efficient and just as fast as the times announced by the company. In a word: bravo! Take a serious look at it as we may already be witnessing the future of the sport.