Le Mans Ultimate Duqueine D09 LMP3 Guide & Setup

The time has come for Le Mans Ultimate to complete its popular European Le Mans Series DLC. The final part of the add-on content packs brings the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, which hosts the Spanish round of the ELMS, and the Duqueine D09 LMP3. The D09 is the final LMP3 chassis that took to the track during the 2025 ELMS and LMC season, and you can now drive it yourself in LMU’s virtual world. 

This Coach Dave Academy guide explores the origins of the machine and what you can expect when you climb behind the wheel. Will you take it to victory?

A Race-Winning LMP3 Newcomer

The Duqueine D09 debuted as part of the new LMP3 regulations for the 2025 motorsport season, and it didn’t take long to prove itself. WTM by Rinaldi took the car to a best finish of fourth at Imola in the ELMS, while in the Le Mans Cup, the R-ace prepared D09 dominated, claiming three wins across seven rounds and securing both the drivers’ and teams’ championships in the hands of Hadrien David and Hugo Schwarze.

A further entry by Gebhardt Motorsport also took a podium finish at Le Mans with a third-place finish.

After two successful seasons in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, the French outfit R-ace steps up to the European Le Mans Series in 2026 with one clear target: the LMP3 trophy. Michelin Le Mans Cup Champion Hugo Schwarze will lead the charge, joined by Pierre-Alexandre Provost and experienced gentleman driver Fabien Michal as the only team piloting the Duqueine D09 after WTM’s move to Ligier.

In the Le Mans Cup for 2026, R-ace is going nowhere; they are back on the grid, ready to defend their title with brand new pairings across their #85 and #86 Duqueine D09 LMP3 cars.

Duqueine D09 Car Specifications & Key Features

LMP3 regulations are tight. All three cars – the Duqueine D09, Ligier JS P325, and Ginetta G61-LT-P3 – share the same Toyota twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, the same sequential transmission, and very similar aerodynamic packages. There’s no Balance of Performance needed because the regulations already enforce near-identical performance baselines.

What that means is the chassis design is the only real differentiator between the three cars. How each manufacturer shapes the bodywork, manipulating airflow to find more downforce without adding drag, is where the competitive edge lives.

Small details in the chassis and suspension geometry translate directly into how the car handles on track, which is why the Duqueine D09 feels noticeably different to the Ligier and Ginetta despite sharing so much mechanically.

LMU’s development team has worked hard to ensure the virtual D09 reflects these subtle differences accurately, with the cockpit, exterior design, and distinct handling characteristics all modelled to match the real car, and it shows. It’s a nice car to drive for a wide range of drivers, from beginners to experienced.

If you’re new to Le Mans Ultimate, consider getting up to speed with Coach Dave Academy’s Ultimate Starter Guide to Le Mans Ultimate.

Duqueine D09s Handling & Performance

As with the other LMP3s included in LMU, the Duqueine D09 sits between the LMP2 and LMGT3 cars in terms of outright performance. While it’s quicker on the straights and in the corners than the heavier LMGT3 beasts, it lacks in both areas versus the more downforce-packed LMP2 Oreca 07.  

While each LMP3 tends to drive largely the same, primarily as the close rules end up meaning their chassis and aero packages provide similar levels of downforce, there are differences. Of the three, the D09 feels the most neutral, with the nose guiding itself towards apexes much more smoothly than the Ligier does.

While the JS P325 feels stiff and sometimes hesitant to dive towards the apex, the D09 feels more eager to turn in. At the same time, its rear is confidence-inspiring and allows you to commit to the following corner without worrying about it snapping away.  

For the most part, the D09 feels pretty similar to its rivals in the fast corners, with its neutrality coming into focus primarily in slower bends. This is where the different chassis design is highlighted, and this characteristic makes it the most straightforward of the three to jump into with no prior experience of an LMP3 car. 

• The D09’s identical engine versus its rivals means it feels identical when getting on the power, with the same torque curve being placed at your mercy
• The engine is fairly smooth, though it’s possible to break traction if you jump on the gas too aggressively on lower traction control settings due to the peakier torque created by a twin-turbocharged unit. As a rough guide, aim for TC values between 3-5
• The D09 lacks ABS, so braking in a straight line is crucial to prevent the inside front tyre locking on corner entry
• Its stable rear makes getting the car prepped for turn-in less dangerous, though trailbraking towards the apex will drastically reduce the chances of any surprise snaps as you bleed off the brake pedal
• Like its rivals, the D09 is susceptible to on-power understeer if you jump on the accelerator too early on corner exit, so patience is key to not throw away laptime
• Similar to the Ligier, the D09 is RHD, meaning visibility will be inferior to the LHD Ginetta for the most part

Duqueine D09 Setups

The team at Coach Dave have been hard at work producing your brand-new pro setups for the Duqueine D09 LMP3 car, including the new Barcelona circuit and new alternative layouts at Silverstone and Paul Ricard. You can get them all in Delta right now.

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Unlimited setups for Le Mans Ultimate, iRacing & ACC. AI Coaching, Pro Reference Laps, Telemetry & Leaderboards for 7 different sims. Everything you need to win.

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Is the Duqueine D09 the Right Choice for You?

The Duqueine D09 provides a new standard as far as offering an easier entry point to controlling an LMP3 car. It’s more planted rear end means you won’t have to worry so much about pesky snaps throwing you off balance as you tip the nose in, while its pointy nose ensures it takes less manipulating to get the front towards the apex.

Not only does this make it easier to brake later and carry more momentum through the corner, but it also means you’re less likely to lock either the front or rear as you turn in. That said, those who enjoy using the rear to help get the front to rotate will prefer the Ginetta, as its looser back end can be played around with more to help carry some extra momentum. Less experienced racers will find the D09S ‘ balance more palatable.   

If finding out more about the D09’s rivals sounds like your jam, then Coach Dave Academy’s guide to the Ligier JS P325 and Ginetta G61-LT-P3 will come in handy. 

• Aggressive Drivers: 8/10
• Endurance Racers: 8.5/10
• Casual Sim Racers: 8/10

Wrapping Up

With the 2025 ELMS LMP3 contingent now complete in LMU, you have three fun-to-drive and varying lightweight prototype class machines to get stuck into. The Duqueine D09 is arguably the best-suited for most drivers, especially those who have no or very little experience with LMP3 cars. Its neutral handling balance ensures you’ll have few surprises thrown at you, making it easier to get into a consistent rhythm.