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[h=2]WEC: World Council ratifies LMP1 tech freeze[/h] Wednesday, 30 November 2016


Marshall Pruett / Image by LAT

The next wave of technology advancements for the FIA WEC's cutting-edge LMP1 Hybrids has been postponed until 2020.
Ratified Wednesday by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the previous plans to bring new LMP1 regulations on-line in 2018 will be delayed by two years; the 2017 ruleset used by Porsche and Toyota to fashion their respective P1 challengers will be honored and locked in place through 2019.



Established by Le Mans organizers ACO, the WEC and the LMP1 technical working group (comprised of Audi, Porsche and Toyota through 2016), the rules for endurance racing's fastest class have been an ever-moving target for manufacturers to hit.
Although all-time classic prototypes have been produced that take full advantage of wildly different engine designs, alternative fuel allowances, kinetic energy recovery systems, lightweight materials and construction methods and forward-looking electronics, the cost to compete at the LMP1 Hybrid level has come under heavy scrutiny since Audi's withdrawal from the WEC.
The frequent change in regulations, particularly in the areas of increased hybrid energy capturing and release and decreased fuel consumption per lap, has only added to the annual budget requirements, and in light of moving forward with only two LMP1 Hybrid manufacturers in 2017, the WMSC's call to freeze the class at its current state of technology was both timely and prescient.

Stabilizing costs in order to prevent more manufacturer departures – and to possibly entice new brands to compete in the WEC and the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans – should give LMP1 Hybrid a better chance of reaching the new round of regulatory changes intact.