2014 Regulations Nearing Completion

On Thursday 19 July the FIA Endurance Commission met in Paris to discuss several items including the 2014 regulations announced last month at Le Mans, continued improvements in driver and track safety, the 2013 FIA WEC calendar and the further development of the World Endurance Championship, and Endurance racing in general, around the world.

The President of the FIA Endurance Commission is Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, with the other members being –

4 FIA REPRESENTATIVES

A. CRAIG (USA)
P. HEAD (GBR)
Y. HIYAMA (JPN)
D. WARWICK (GBR)

4 ACO REPRESENTATIVES

V. BEAUMESNIL (FRA)
P. FILLON (FRA)
G. NEVEU (FRA)
J-F. VEROUX (FRA)

1 MANUFACTURERS’ REPRESENTATIVE

DR W. ULLRICH (AUDI)
 

1 TEAMS’ REPRESENTATIVE

C. RIED (TEAM FELBERMAYR-PROTON)

1 SPONSORS’ REPRESENTATIVE

O. VIALLE (MICHELIN)

Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones said, "We had a very productive meeting in Paris with significant progress being made in several key areas, including the work to finalise the 2014 LMP1 regulations that will put endurance racing at the forefront of the development of new technologies that manufacturers will use to build the road cars of the future.  The new regulations will enable manufacturers to develop and test these new technologies in endurance race conditions that are very hard to replicate elsewhere. It is why we are working hard to make sure the 2014 regulations are rigorous enough but are also flexible to allow manufacturers to come up with new solutions that will ultimately benefit every road user around the world.  After this meeting we are close to finalising the regulations so the teams and manufacturers can get on with the job of designing and building the cars. In tandem with these new technologies is the need to control costs within the championship in this very difficult economic climate and in accordance with FIA President Jean Todt,  this is an area that is a priority for the Endurance Commission.

"Coupled with this is the continued need to improve safety," Sir Lindsay continued. "These new technologies introduce new hazards that we need to be aware of and develop safety measures to deal with any problems.  An example of this was seen in recent garage fire in Formula 1.   In addition we will continue to look at ways to improve on the already high standards of driver, team and track safety that we enjoy in our sport."

ACO President Pierre Fillon said, "The decisions made at the latest Endurance Commission meeting are very encouraging and I would like to thank Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones and the other members for their hard work in several key areas that will have a direct impact on the future growth of endurance racing, including the FIA World Endurance Championship.

"In the current economic conditions it should also be noted that cost management in our championships is of vital importance," M. Fillon continued.  "This is something that the ACO, as the promoter of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the FIA Endurance Commission, will continue to monitor throughout 2012 and beyond to keep costs under control.  We will not be afraid to take tough decisions on any expenditure that will have a detrimental effect on the future of the championship and on our partners, sponsors, manufacturers and teams.

"We have recently unveiled the date for the 2013 24 Heures du Mans, which will take place on 15/16 June next year and this, as in 2012, will form the central part of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship.  The 2013 FIA WEC calendar is nearly complete and we will be announcing next year’s schedule by the end of September, which will include some exciting new venues.  We are now looking forward to the next round at Silverstone at the end of August, which will provide a fantastic setting in which to begin the second half of the 2012 season."