Beaumesnil: 2017 GTE-Am Regulations Decision “Very Soon”

Photo: Porsche

A decision on the 2017 regulations for the GTE-Am class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as the European Le Mans Series GTE category will be taken “very soon” according to ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil.

Teams have raised concerns over the planned introduction of 2016-spec GTE-Pro cars into the class next year, with Proton Competition team boss Christian Ried, who has three cars in WEC and two in ELMS this year, threatening to not return if the current regulations are not frozen.

Ferrari, on the other hand, is pushing for the new regulations, as originally planned by the FIA and ACO, in order to have customer-run 488 GTEs in both championships.

“We always listen to the paddock,” Beaumesnil told Sportscar365. “From there we have to evaluate everything and make sure we make the best choice for the championship, while also respecting the rules.

“I’m just disappointed this came so late. I was available for a long time and people could have come to me if they had a problem. People raised their concern about this very late.”

Beaumesnil said the same decision will be made in WEC and ELMS, as a number of entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans come from the continental championship.

“Whatever we do, we would have to do on both sides, I think,” he said.

It’s believed a decision will be made during this week’s FIA Endurance Committed meeting and will be presented to the next FIA World Motor Sports Council meeting on Sept. 28.

“We have to do it quick but we should not delay any kind of decisions on such a kind after [the World Council] meeting,” Beaumesnil said.

John Dagys

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