The 2020-2021 “Hypercar” regulations revealed

In accordance with what you have read in our columns, it will be based on a “performance window” system from which the manufacturers involved will not be able to escape, in order to offer the closest possible competition while confronting different models. visually.

Thus, the aero will be limited via a passage in the wind tunnel at scale 1, so that it does not dictate the design of the cars, which will be equipped, at the front and at the rear, with appendages variables.

In order to encourage diversity in combustion engines – with a minimum weight of 180 kg – their power will be limited to 520 kW (707 hp) and that of the electric motors connected to the axle to the hybrid system, connected on the front axle at 200 kW (272 hp). In accordance with what we revealed to you, the use of two connected hybrid systems is authorized, but this should not bring any advantage.

The battery must weigh at least 70 kg and the electric motor 50 kg. Hybrid systems must be available for rental, at a price of 3 million Euros (per season for two cars).

Cost control measures will be put in place. Developments will thus be limited. The possibility will be given to a manufacturer to approve 1 new car over a period of 5 years in order to be able to meet the marketing expectations of the brands.

Testing during the season is limited and greatly reduced compared to current regulations. The staff (technical staff who work on the car) is made up of a maximum of 40 people for two cars.

During the period outside Europe, it will only have access to cars during competitions in order to limit costly tests and operations during this period and will allow teams to better manage budgets and human resources. The tire manufacturer is unique. Three ''dry'' and two ''wet'' tire specifications are available to everyone.

A ballast success comes into play

In parallel with the technical regulations, to guarantee the spectacle, narrow any possible gaps and above all avoid budgets devoted to extreme development, the principle of "success ballast" (ballast. Editor's note) was retained by the sporting regulations.

And this as we revealed to you in our columns. Weight is thus added depending on the number of points recorded in the championship. Thus, 0,5 kg will be added to the car per point scored, up to a maximum of 50 kg. The car maintains this weight throughout the season until the 24 hours of Le Mans, where all this ''ballast'' is removed for the final of the World ChampionshipEndurance.

The stated chronometric objective is that these cars lap, at Le Mans, in 3'22 in qualifying, 3'27 in the race.

Some additional technical data:

– Only one aerodynamic kit – variable – will be authorized. Each variable element can only have two different positions, chosen by the pilot, in a time of less than a second.

– Minimum weight without fuel or pilot: 1040 kg, with a weight distribution to be 48,5% on the front (with a margin of 1,5%).

– The engines and ERS systems must be based on elements available on a production car. A minimum of 25 examples of the production car equipped with the engine in question must be produced at the end of the 2020-2021 season and 100 at the end of the 2021-2022 campaign. The production engine and its racing derivative will be subject to homologation by the ACO.

– The architecture of this engine is free, but its power must not exceed 508 kW (690 hp.). Until the end of the 2021-2022 season, the BSFC (specific fuel consumption- will be 235 g/kWh and will increase to 225 kg/kWh from 2022-2023. On the same diagram, the mass flow will become more restrictive in season 3.