Convergence plans for endurance complete
The FIA has outlined details of the LMH technical regulations(*) that will converge with those governing LMDh-class cars revealed last week. With similar performance specifications, LMDh and LMH will together form the premier class of endurance racing.
FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille has confirmed the move towards convergence between the technical regulations governing LMH and LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) respectively. The ACO-IMSA platform will allow manufacturers to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
LMH and LMDh will jointly form the new premium category of Endurance.
The FIA Endurance Commission has put forward a set of common characteristics for LMH and LMDh for a vote by the World Motor Sport Council. They include:
- minimum weight: 1030 kg
- maximum power: 500 kW
- aerodynamic performance
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: "ACO and IMSA have now laid solid foundations for convergence allowing the top class of competitors to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship and in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) and Le Mans Hypercar will be governed by convergent regulations to ensure similar performance characteristics. The technical teams at the FIA and the ACO have worked hard to adapt the LMH regulations and the result has been warmly welcomed by manufacturers. We must be proactive to build the future of Endurance. This announcement is further evidence of the constructive collaboration that is crucial to our discipline."
Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission: “We need to consider the evolution of the economic environment and adopt cost-saving measures to support the efforts of the manufacturers. With the announcement of the ACO/IMSA outlining the basic details of the LMDh platform and the decision of the FIA Endurance Commission to modify the technical specification of the Le Mans Hypercar category, we are finally moving towards the convergence.
Having both platforms eligible for the future top class in the FIA World Endurance Championship will allow more diversity in the technical approaches and thus attract more competitors. This is something that all parties involved – including the manufacturers committed to the Le Mans Hypercar category, the FIA and the ACO – have been working towards since the beginning. This is an important step for the future of endurance racing.”
(*) subject to ratification at the next FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting