A new look for the LMP1 class to come in 2020

For a long time a discussion about a new set of regulations for the LMP1 class appears as an important matter to deal with, and the manufacturer retreats accelerated the talks. FIA and ACO seem to have found an agreement with teams and manufacturers, and the new regulations will take force in 2020 for the FIA WEC.

The new ruleset has an inspiration that reminds of the LMGTP days of the late 90s or the American DPi concept, though no production numbers will be demanded. The look of the new LMP1s will be relatable to the road going examples and will be wider around the cockpit area, in what may resemble the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003 racer.

Hybrid systems will stay in the game, though this time will be limited to a KERS unit in the front, which may be marketable to customers at a fixed price, while the internal combustion engine options remain open to the manufacturers and constructors. The target established by the ACO and FIA is that these prototypes would lap Le Mans in around 3 minutes and 20 seconds, while limited on fuel as consumption rules will stay in place to assure that there is a level playing field.

Along with looks and competitiveness, the new ruleset aims to cut costs by a heavy margin, as the new machines may cost a quarter of the current LMP1 hybrid budgets, which will be around 30 million Euros. To ensure costs will be kept down, development will be limited due to a new homologation procedure, so the cost cap won’t be extrapolated.

The ‘Hypercar’ ruleset will take place until 2024 and the name of the new class will be open to fan selection, which will come at a later date.

PHOTO: FIA WEC