Hypercar, LMDh rules extended to 2032 in WEC
The move, predicted by Motorsport.com in April, means that the LMH formula is set to span 12 years following its 2021 introduction and LMDh 10 years, and follows on the two-year extension announced this time last year.
Advertisement
Confirmation of the plans was made by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and FIA at the traditional press conference hosted by the former organisation on the eve of the Le Mans 24 Hours WEC round.
ACO president Pierre Fillon said: 'It is important to give the manufacturers and the audience a signal of stability - we need to show that this platform is sustainable and strong.
'We are guided by two principles, stability and cost control, which is why together with the FIA we have decided to extend the rules until the end of 2032.
'Giving the manufacturers a chance to get a return on their investment was the target for us.'
Pierre Fillon, ACO president
Pierre Fillon, ACO president
The rules extension, which was rubber stamped by this week's FIA World Motor Sport Council in Macau, was announced only in broad principles.
Advertisement
Fillon explained that the 'practicalities need to be discussed' and that they 'will be worked out by the end of the year'.
ACO technical director Thierry Bouvet would not be drawn whether there will be any attempt to remove any of the differences between LMH and LMDh cars in the WEC's Hypercar class.
At the same time, IMSA confirmed what it terms its strategic alliance with the ACO until the end of 2032, which suggests it could follow the lead taken for the WEC in extending the rules for what it calls the GTP class.
Hypercars now eligible for Asian Le Mans
Hypercar class contenders driven by pro-am crews will be eligible to race in the Asian Le Mans Series from the start of the 2026-27 season.
Advertisement
An influx of LMH and LMDh machinery will create a new top-class in the series jointly run by the ACO and GT racing boss Stephane Ratel.
It will sit above the LMP2 and P3 prototype classes and the GT class for GT3 machinery, which predates the introduction of LMGT3 in the WEC in 2023.
Ratel explained that the move has been the result of interest from manufacturers, teams and drivers.
Race 2 Start
Race 2 Start
'Interest in sportscar racing is growing in Asia: we see that in the grids for Asian LMS and the GT World Challenge Asia [which Ratel's eponymous organisation runs],' he said.
'We believe there is the possibility to attract some Asian teams and drivers; for sure there are teams whose clients are interested.
Advertisement
'We know we are not going to get a grid of 20 Hypercars, but I think something like six is possible in the first year.'
LMP2 tenders decided
French constructors ORECA and Ligier will build the next generation of LMP2 chassis due to come on stream in 2028.
They came out on top in the tender process initiated by the FIA, together with the ACO and IMSA, in March.
One other constructor that is known to have bid for the right to build LMP2 machinery was the relaunched Lola brand.
#23 United Autosports Oreca 07 - Gibson: Daniel Schneider, Oliver Jarvis, Ben Hanley
#23 United Autosports Oreca 07 - Gibson: Daniel Schneider, Oliver Jarvis, Ben Hanley
The tender called for just two manufacturers to be licensed to produce P2 machinery rather than the four of the current formula introduced in 2017.
Advertisement
ORECA and Ligier were joined by Dallara and Multimatic/Riley, though P2 has become a de facto one-make formula for ORECA.
Gibson will continue as the engine supplier for the new generation of P2 car.
The new engine will be a direct-injection twin-turbo V6, as per the tender, and capable of producing 420kW (560bhp) and running 14,000km between full rebuilds.
The latest Gibson powerplant replaces the existing normally-aspirated V8 used in all LMP2 chassis.
Read Also:
Ford reveals more details about 2027 WEC LMDh challenger
United Autosports to run McLaren Hypercar programme, Dallara tie-up agreed
Genesis hires Gabriele Tarquini to management team as WEC programme takes shape
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Albon Exposes Harsh Truth About Wet F1 Tires That Makes Drivers Look 'Weak'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams Racing Formula One driver Alex Albon has opened up about why the sport does not use wet tires when the conditions demand them. He also highlighted how drivers are put in an "awkward" situation that makes them look "weak" whenever they refuse to race in the wet. The last two Grand Prix weekends at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps witnessed wet races, which added to the excitement. However, for the drivers, the experience could be scary at times due to visibility problems. The race at Spa highlighted the gravity of the situation after it was red-flagged following the formation lap. Drivers complained of reduced visibility due to the spray being emitted by the cars in front, highlighting the danger of racing in the rain. The Belgian GP began after an 80-minute delay once the rain cloud had passed, which led many to suggest the FIA was too cautious in its approach to racing in the rain. Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW47 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW47 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, decision also led many to question why the race wasn't allowed to continue on wet tires. With this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix forecasted to have a 60 percent chance of rain, Albon was asked why the wet tire wasn't used in the last two race weekends. He said: "I mean, I would say I agree, but I think the people who are most vocal about not driving are the drivers. We are vocal when we think it's ready to go and when we think it was time. But at the moment, the full wet tyre and the conditions of the tracks, they don't align. "The tracks are too wet. It's not the tyres that are not good enough, it's just that we can't see. Unfortunately, we're the only ones that can truly tell you what this is. I think the drivers are actually put in a bit of an awkward position in that sense because we look weak." Albon referenced an incident from the British GP, where Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar was blinded by the spray, causing him to crash into Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. He said: "We look like the ones that are complaining and that we should just get on with it, whereas I think a good example would have been Isack and Kimi in Silverstone. It's the worst feeling driving at 250kph and not being able to see 20 metres in front of you. "I think the FIA listens to us very closely and they do monitor and they're always looking for solutions and potential areas they can improve to help us. But yeah, it's a really awkward conversation because I agree with you, the wets are fine to go racing. On the wets, on a clear track, we would be totally fine. But at the moment, these cars are producing a huge amount of spray."
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
2025 GT World Challenge Beijing E-Town Round to Debut in October
BEIJING, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The 2025 GT World Challenge Beijing E-Town Round will take place from October 17 to 19 at Tongming Lake in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA, E-town). This event, blending top-tier motorsport with cutting-edge automotive technology, will concurrently host the New Energy Innovation Challenge and the Autonomous Driving Innovation Challenge, showcasing the deep integration of 'sports, technology, and industry.' This is not only a grand celebration of the synergy between the automotive industry and sports culture but also an important global platform for Beijing E-Town to demonstrate its strength as a 'world-class hub for intelligent connected vehicles.' A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. The race will feature a temporary street circuit meeting FIA Grade 3 standards, spanning 4.9 kilometers with a maximum design speed of 299 km/h and an estimated lap time of 93.4 seconds. The track design artfully combines high-speed straights and challenging turns, linking the modern architecture of the National Industrial Park for Information Technology Application and Innovation, the natural landscapes of Tongming Lake, and urban commercial zones. This unique 'dynamic scenic route' will create a one-of-a-kind visual spectacle for global street racing fans. Currently, the event has attracted participation from globally renowned teams such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Aston Martin. Over 10,000 spectators are expected to attend in person. Notably, the GT track will double as a 'practical platform' and 'testing ground' for advanced technologies. The concurrent New Energy Innovation Challenge and Autonomous Driving Innovation Challenge will leverage the race's international prestige and public engagement to foster a widely participatory automotive tech challenge brand, achieving a symbiotic synergy between 'extreme racing and frontier innovation.' A spokesperson for the organizing committee stated that the simultaneous hosting of the GT World Challenge, New Energy Challenge, and Autonomous Driving Challenge represents a practical implementation and creative expression of BDA's '3+1+N' development model for intelligent connected new energy vehicles. This approach aims to enhance the global influence of local industries through a world-class racing IP; to accelerate technology commercialization via real-world scenarios in the New Energy Challenge; and to lead future mobility trends with the cutting-edge attributes of autonomous driving. This initiative will establish a comprehensive value ecosystem of 'premium racing viewing, technology application experiences, and future mobility vision,' driving Beijing E-Town's goal of becoming a 'world-class hub for intelligent connected vehicles' and injecting momentum into Beijing's bid to become an international consumer city. During the event, the Tongming Lake area will be transformed into a vibrant 'automotive carnival.' The thunderous roar of GT race cars will form a striking contrast to the serene, cutting-edge technology of new energy vehicles, while the pinpoint precision of autonomous driving will offer a fascinating counterpoint to the heart-pounding drifts of traditional racing. Family-friendly karting experiences, model car exhibitions, and interactive tech zones will invite visitors of all ages to join in the fun. As the organizers put it, this is not merely three separate competitions, but a panoramic celebration of the automotive industry's past, present, and future — an event where everyone can discover their own automotive dream. As one of the world's largest GT series, the 2025 GT World Challenge Beijing E-Town Round is co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Committee, and the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China. It is jointly hosted by SRO Motorsports Group and Shangyicheng (Beijing) Technology and Culture Group Co., Ltd. Global sponsorship opportunities are now open, offering partners a multi-dimensional value platform for global brand exposure, advanced technology showcases, and multi-scenario marketing. Source: The Organizing Committee of the 2025 GT World Challenge Beijing E-Town Round
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Jeremy Clarkson Slams the FIA Over Belgian Grand Prix Delayed Start
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson ripped the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix race director after fans were denied wet-weather racing. The forecast for Sunday's race at Spa called for a good amount of rain to fall throughout the day. The race director delayed the start of the race due to rain, opting to wait and see if the rain stopped. After more than an hour, they finally got the race underway, though it was via a rolling start. The FIA Safety Car leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes and Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix... The FIA Safety Car leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes and Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2025 in Spa, Belgium. More Photo byThe safety car did four laps as the cars swept the water off the track. Then it came in, and the pole-sitter, McLaren's Lando Norris, got the race underway. The cars used intermediate tires for the first part of the race and then switched to slick tires for the second portion. The wet tires were never used despite the amount of rain that poured on the track, with the FIA arguing that it was in fact the lack of visibility that was the issue, not the lack of grip. After the race, drivers and fans alike were left questioning the purpose of the blue-stripped tire and whether wet conditions would feature in any future race. Clarkson offered his thoughts on the delay of the race and called out the race directors. "Dear God in heaven. What is the race director at Spa doing?" Clarkson posted to X. Dear God in heaven. What is the race director at Spa doing? — Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 27, 2025 Clarkson is a well-known critic of the FIA and its decision-making processes. He is fond of the old-school racing approach when cars raced under intense conditions. The reality TV star wasn't the only one left wondering why the race was handled in such a way. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen also wondered why the drivers weren't allowed to race at the original start time. "It's a bit disappointing, because we spoke after Silverstone to be a little bit more cautious with the decisions," the four-time champion said. "But this was then the other extreme for me. Of course, between Turn 1 [La Source] and 5 [Les Combes] was quite a bit of water, but if you do two or three laps behind the safety car, then it would have been a lot more clear, and the rest of the track was, anyway, ready to go. "It's a bit of a shame. Of course. I knew that they would be a bit more cautious after Silverstone, but this also didn't make sense. "Then it's better to say: 'You know what? Let's wait until it's completely dry and then we just start on slicks.' Because this is not really wet-weather racing for me." Belgian Grand Prix Results
