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FIA, ACO Targeting Release of 2017 LMP2 Proposal Next Month

ACO, FIA, IMSA Preparing to announce 2017 LMP2 proposal…

Photo: John Dagys

Photo: John Dagys

The FIA, ACO and IMSA are targeting the release of its proposal for the 2017 LMP2 regulations within the next few weeks, according to FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Gerard Neveu.

Speaking to media Friday evening at Paul Ricard, site of this weekend’s pre-season Prologue test, Neveu confirmed no final decision has been made on the regulations, despite multiple meetings with manufacturers, both at Sebring and this week at Paul Ricard.

“At this moment we haven’t made any proposal,” Neveu said. “[The manufacturers] are still working around the table. The only thing you have discovered is that the World Council proposed the idea that it could be a single engine and we could do a tender for that in the future.

“Regarding all of the other decisions, it’s still under discussion and the full and global presentation of that will be presented in a couple of weeks, as soon as the technical commission will give the final result of the discussion.”

Details of the meetings with manufacturers have yet to be revealed, although there is at least one change to the original proposal, revealed in a Sportscar365 exclusive last month, as ACO President Pierre Fillon confirmed the LMP2 class will not become a spec tire category.

Neveu stressed the importance of keeping LMP2 sustainable for privateers, although he would not reveal their target in reduction in costs.

“The philosophy is that we have to absolutely pay attention to the running costs and to make sure we can guarantee a sustainable an a good business plan for the future,” he said. “This category is very attractive, very competitive and fighting. If you don’t control that it can go in different direction.

“The second thing is that it’s a category for privateers, nothing to do with manufacturers. The idea is to guarantee the framework that’s correct to engage for a long-term program because this is interest of the ACO.

“We also need to do a harmonization between the different continental championships, between North American, European and Asian, to make sure we provide a good future for LMP2, and of course for WEC and Le Mans at the end.”

Neveu wouldn’t confirm a precise date for the release of its proposal, which would be subject the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, although the projected timing would correspond to the FIA WEC and European Le Mans Series season-opening weekend at Silverstone on April 10-12.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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