A redefined LMP1 World Championship title confirmed
Following a meeting today of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris, the following decisions were approved regarding the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season.
The 2018-2019 season will soon be with us. It’s a completely new Super Season, which is already historic as it will include two 24 Hours of Le Mans, whose 2019 staging will bring down the curtain on the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in a blaze of glory! This Super Season is completely new, and will also see the introduction of some new regulations which were today approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
A redefined title in LMP1
In LMP1 (hybrid and non-hybrid), the world championship title will now be awarded to a team and no longer to a manufacturer. In addition, from now on only the highest-placed car within a team in each race will score points towards the world championship for teams’ classification.
In the LMP1 category, the ACO, regulator for the WEC, has set three priorities: welcome more manufacturers and attract private teams, control budgets and retain its avant-garde technological character.
Although manufacturers are not allowed to enter non-hybrid cars in the WEC, they can supply engines to private teams. Branding a non-hybrid car is possible under certain conditions for a partner, including a manufacturer.
The technological equivalence between normally-aspirated engines and turbos have now been made official.
The current LMP1 regulations will be applied for a minimum of three seasons (including one season with the cars complying with the new regulations currently being drawn up).
More exciting pit stops
From 2018 onwards, the spectacle in the pits will also be the focus of attention. Unlike past years, the teams will be able to change tyres and refuel at the same time. Thus, the time spent in the pits will be different, which will impact on race strategy.
A Super Season, and a new allocation of points
For 6-hour races, points will be allocated as in 2017. For the 24 Hours of Le Mans an additional 50% of the points for 6-hour races will be allocated. For Sebring an additional 25% of the points for 6-hour races will be allocated.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “The format of the 2018-2019 Super Season and the new system of allocating points depending on the different races as well as the notion of a single car, the highest placed of two entries entered by the same team, guarantees a hotly-contested championship and close competition between the teams. The structure of this new championship looks promising.”
Gérard Neveu, CEO of the FIA WEC: “While we wait for the very encouraging 2020 regulations, these new regulations for 2018-19, together with the positive feedback we have had from teams about the Super Season, will guarantee an incredible level of competition in LMP1. With no fewer than five GT manufacturers in LMGTE Pro, and increased interest at this stage from gentleman drivers in LMP2 and LMGTE Am, things are looking good for fans of endurance racing in particular, and motorsport in general! We can’t wait for 2018 to arrive.”
Super Season calendar
Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: 5 May 2018
24 Hours of Le Mans: 16-17 June 2018
6 Hours of Silverstone: 19 August 2018
6 Hours of Fuji: 21 October 2018
6 Hours of Shanghai: 18 November 2018
1500 Miles of Sebring: 17 March 2019
Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: 4 May 2019
24 Hours of Le Mans: 15-16 June 2019