The new LMP1 Technical Regulations for 2014 has been unveiled

The Technical Regulations for the Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) class were today presented at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's press conference, held at the Museum of the 24 Hours.

These 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP1 Technical Regulations will also, from the 1st of January 2014, cover the Le Mans Series LMP1 category, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series.

Once approved by the FIA World Council, the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP1 Technical Regulations will be available online from late afternoon on Friday, 15th June.

6 BASIC POINTS TO REMEMBER

• New technology will be granted freedom with regard to powertrain (that is engine and hybrid system) in accordance with the development of road vehicles.

• The engines are free. The limitations of cylinders, restrictors and turbo pressures are removed.

• Significant reduction - up to 30% - of the use of fossil fuels used.

• The hybrid systems are free as long as they can be measured but are limited to two per car. The private teams are protected.

• Cars must be closed to improve safety.

• Weight and width are reduced.

QUOTES

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest: "The philosophy of this particularly innovative regulation was outlined by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest in 2009, then came talks with automakers. They all adhered to this concept.This text has been drafted in close partnership between the ACO and the FIA and in an ongoing dialogue with the manufacturers. I want to underline the excellent cooperation between our two entities both in the working groups, technical, sports and endurance Committee. I also wish to highlight the excellent spirit that prevails between our different teams ACO and FIA. And I thank Lindsay Owen Jones, President of the Commission Endurance of being the guarantor of this state of mind."

Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the Commission of the FIA Endurance: "With a thorough job and  excellent collaboration, the ACO and FIA today present a unique and ely innovative LM P1 2014 technical regulations, in step with the times. It should promote the development of powerful and spectacular cars as well as the development of technologies with real relevance for the everyday motorist. The private teams are not forgotten, but competitive through simple alternatives. I hope that the technical regulations LM P1 2014 will thrill you as it fascinates all who participated in its elaboration."

Leading figures in endurance racing voiced their satisfaction after the launch today of new LMP1 Technical Regulations which will come into force in 2014.

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi: "These are not a surprise to us as the constructors have worked on the development of these regulations.  The different companies, of course, all have different ideas but I think that a ruling which pleases everyone isn’t a good ruling.  For my part, I am very happy with the basic regulations which have been revealed today.  They allow us to demonstrate transferable technologies from road to track, and that’s very important for Audi."

Hugues de Chaunac, Oreca:  "It’s very exciting.  These are not an evolution of the regulations, but a real revolution.  Endurance racing is going to completely differentiate itself from other motor racing.  The allocation of energy is something new and that will allow endurance races to separate themselves clearly from F1. That will also allow new technologies to distinguish themselves from the old; it’s an enormous step forward.  We won’t be doing laps just to use fuel…we will be contributing to the way forward in terms of energy economy.  I think there will be a great diversity of technologies represented because the engineers aren’t all in agreement with each other on this area."  

Jacques Nicolet, OAK Racing: “We have to see if this new regulation is going to translate on a more practical level.  If we put ourselves into a private team category, with the amount of fuel we are allocated, I await to see if we can be competitive compared with the more costly hybrid systems to which we won’t have access, at least to begin with. However, the intentions appear to me to be good and I think that these new regulations will be a source of innovation.  As far as the Asian Le Mans Series is concerned, all these emerging markets are good for us.  I think that it’s potentially an enormous market in which we can sell many cars.  The contacts are there, and we already have a presence in China.”

Jean-Félix Bazelin, Dunlop: "The most important thing is that Endurance racing will be more easily understandable.  At the moment it’s difficult to explain restrictor equivalencies between the ‘diesels’ and the ‘petrol’ cars.  Everyone will have the same amount of energy available…there will be nothing more to explain! The ACO has returned to the values that we have perhaps forgotten: competition should have an impact on the car of Mr and Mrs “everyman”.  It’s not just politically correct but also very interesting for engineers.  Finally, there is a last point which is close to my heart: privateers will have a chance to show themselves to their best advantage."

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), MUSEE DES 24 HEURES, THURSDAY 14TH JUNE 2012, PRESS CONFERENCE. Sir Lindsay Owen-jones and Pierre Fillon unveiled the new regulations for 2014.