What's new in the 2017 Sporting Regulations
Various changes to the FIA World Endurance Championship sporting regulations will be introduced for the sixth season of competition. So what’s new? Here's some of the key areas to look out for.
1. New GTE World Championships
Among the biggest changes is the introduction of two new World Championship titles. In addition to the FIA World Endurance Championships for Drivers and Manufacturers, new titles for GTE World Champion Drivers and Manufacturers have been introduced.
2. Engines
In GTE-Pro and GTE-Am, any cars using a different engine in the race than that used in qualifying will no longer incur a 3 minute stop and go penalty.
The limitation of three engines per season for LMP2 entrants has been removed. The only competitors with engine restrictions are LMP1 hybrid, with a limit of 5 per season for full season entrants.
3. Tyres
LMP1 teams will have 4 fewer slick tyres to use per weekend, increasing the technical challenge for teams to manage their allocation during practice, qualifying and the race. There will now be 3 sets plus 2 spare tyres, down from 4 sets plus 2 spares in 2016. LMP2 remains the same as 2016.
GTE Pro also has a tyre reduction, down from 4 sets for free practice and 6 for the race to 3 and 4 respectively, plus 2 spares. GTE-Am allocations are unchanged.
Penalties for tyre change infringements are now at the stewards’ discretion. Previously, any infringement incurred a drive-through. This does not include penalties applied when too many mechanics work on car during a pitstop.
4. Testing and development
The number of authorised test days for LMP1 teams has been reduced from 10 to 7 for closed private testing. LMP2 teams are permitted 2 days closed testing, and 8 days open testing.
GTE Pro and Am teams each have 10 days closed testing. There is no limitation to open private testing.
The end-of-season Rookie test in Bahrain is now mandatory for the winning competitor in LMP2 and GTE Pro with at least one car. The driver will be designated by the Promoter.
Total wind tunnel testing time is reduced from 1200 hours to 800 hours for all manufacturers in the championship. LMP2 teams are not permitted to conduct wind tunnel testing.
5. Any other business?
As a safety measure, scrutineers may check that drivers can exit their car in all their usual driving equipment within 7 seconds from the driver’s side and within 9 seconds from the passenger’s side.
The fastest driver from LMP2 and GTE Am is no longer required to start the race.
There will only be 1 formation lap instead of 2 at WEC races this year.
