Le Mans / WEC – Place for LMP-L and LMP-H

L’année 2014 verra l’apparition d’un nouveau règlement en LM P1. Les voitures se verront allouer une quantité de carburant par tour, obligeant les concurrents à mettre l’accent sur l’efficience énergétique. Mais si les grands constructeurs, à l’image d’Audi, Toyota et Porsche, opteront pour un système hybride, l’adoption de ce dernier n’est pas obligatoire pour les écuries dites privées. Ainsi, le Rebellion Racing et le Oak Racing, qui ont prévu d’être en LM P1 l’an prochain avec des voitures « maison », s’en passeront.

The regulations have therefore planned to “split” the premier category in two, between LMP-H and LMP-L, the H and the L meaning Hybrid and Light (cars not having SREC will be lighter). Please note, the LMP-L is strictly reserved for private teams.

Furthermore, a significant modification has been made to the sporting regulations. In 2012 and 2013, in the Manufacturers' World Championship, only the highest-finishing car scored points for the brand concerned. And this to allow Toyota, not always present with two cars, to be able to compete a little bit with Audi. From next year, the two best-placed cars at the finish will score points. A manufacturer only coming with a single prototype would therefore see its chances of winning significantly diminish.

Finally, the working group set up by the ACO and the FIA ​​concerning the creation of a “single” GT category in the medium term has apparently worked well. Indeed, the main lines of the GTE-GT3 convergence have apparently been generally defined and accepted by manufacturers. The objective being that this new GT technical regulation, based on new categories (GT and GT+), be submitted for approval to the FIA ​​World Council in June 2014. And this for entry into force in 2016.