The WEC returns to a classic season system from 2021

In September 2017, while Porsche formalized its withdrawal from the LM P1 category at the end of the current financial year, LMEM and the ACO announce the passage of WEC to seasons running over two calendar years.

« When bad news arrives, it must be converted into an opportunity to change things, Gérard Neveu, the general director of the WEC, told us at the time. Staying still would have put us in a difficult position and this situation pushed us to make quick decisions, with the aim of putting the boat back in the right direction. It was an opportunity to reverse the calendar, something we had wanted to do for years, by putting the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the closing round, to finish in apotheosis. »

An initiative then welcomed by all, us first and foremost. What better setting than the double clock tower in Sarthe to host what was then nicknamed the Super Final. But this has led to somewhat unexpected tax complications for competitors, sometimes requiring them to draw up two six-month contracts for example.

See also:

• The WEC formalizes the new version of its 2019-2020 calendar
• New starting time for the 24 2020 Hours of Le Mans
• Slightly reduced 2020 program for the ELMS

The Coronavirus crisis, combined with the stillborn project Aston Martin Valkyrie and the two-stage arrival of the new queens of the discipline – Le Mans Hypercar from 2021 and LMDh from 2022 – pushed the organizers to return to a classic season pattern – or summer, whatever you want to call it – contested on one and the same calendar year.

Thus, the next World Championship campaignEndurance will begin in March 2021, during the SuperSebring, in accordance with what we revealed to you at the beginning of the week (see Ah n°2260 and here). And it will end in November. A model which will obviously be reproduced during subsequent campaigns.

This will have the merit of offering competitors wishing to join the Le Mans Hypercar category in the coming months more time to refine their weapons, like Toyota, Team Cameron Glickenhaus and ByKolles. But also to LMDh aspirants wishing to arrive from season 10 for a few additional months who will be welcome. LMDh regulations which should be revealed shortly.

Peugeot , who is currently working on a Le Mans Hypercar but does not rule out moving to an LMDh if the model appears more viable to him, is in this case. Obviously hoping that the manufacturers concerned, who will inevitably suffer from the economic crisis which is looming, do not revise their plans along the way.