A “success-related handicap” in Hypercar in 2026

The World ChampionshipEndurance is changing its regulations. In a document detailing the changes to these regulations for 2026, published on the website of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), we learn that the success handicap will come into force in the Hypercar category for next season, with the exception of 24 Hours of Le Mans.

« A success handicap may be imposed for Hypercar and LMGT3 cars entered in the Championship (see article 3.1.1). It will be in force during all competitions, except for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The calculation system will be determined by the Committee WEC at the latest before the first timed session of the Prologue. This lap time handicap will be transformed into mass and/or power, at the discretion of the ACO and the FIA, who will communicate it in the BoP table sent by the WEC Committee before each competition ", the document states.

This system is in addition to the other levers already in place to define the Balance of Performance (BoP). The latter has often been criticized in the WEC paddock this year, particularly after the four consecutive victories of Ferrari during the first part of the season. The decision to add this handicap was probably motivated by the desire to avoid such a hegemony in 2026.

Not applying it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the flagship race on the calendar, appears to be a solution to avoid transforming the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the previous round, into a procession where everyone would hide their game to avoid being penalized in La Sarthe.

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