Beaumesnil: Manufacturers Have “Clear Vision” on 2018 LMP1 Regs

Photo: James Moy/Toyota

ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil says LMP1 constructors and manufacturers have a “clear vision” on the regulations for the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

It comes amid comments from Toyota indicating that it is waiting on further clarification on the Equivalence of Technology in the restructured LMP1 class before committing to the ‘Super Season’ schedule.

“There were meetings last week,” Beaumesnil told Sportscar365. “We gave some information. We collected the data and have already discussed figures.

“They have a clear vision now. They know 95 percent of what they need to know. We are just finalizing now.”

Beaumesnil said the targets for the class, which will see the performance levels of non-hybrid prototypes increased to similar levels of hybrid machinery, was adopted during last month’s FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting. 

It includes confirmation that LMP1 hybrids will be given one additional lap of fuel allowance at Le Mans, and also a shorter refueling time due to having a smaller fuel capacity.

Any EoT decisions would likely only need to be approved by the FIA Endurance Committee, Beaumesnil said.

“What we’re providing is the same potential of performance,” he said. “If you have a bad team and bad drivers, we will not help to compensate this.

“It’s really the potential of performance. It’s based on data we’re collecting because we have information from chassis constructors and engine manufacturers.

“This allows us to decide what we provide in order to have [everyone] in a similar range of performance.

“We know the quality of Toyota, so they will obviously be competing for the win, I can assure you that.”

Beaumesnil Coy on LMP1 Grid Projections

While not being drawn on a number, Beaumesnil said he hopes for “as many as possible” LMP1 cars on the grid next season.

“We could have a lot,” he said. “But everyone is discussing and trying to put the budget together.”

Should Toyota return, the Japanese manufacturer would be joined by a pair of Dallara-built BR1 prototypes from SMP Racing, and likely the ByKolles CLM P1/01 NISMO.

Ginetta has announced the sale of three of its LMP1 cars, although the customer has yet to come forward.

Jackie Chan DC Racing, meanwhile, is unlikely to step up to the top class next year, with Rebellion Racing also poised to remain in LMP2, with uncertainties in ORECA having a new LMP1 car available in time for the start of the Super Season.

“Obviously Ginetta and Dallara started to work on their cars much earlier,” Beaumesnil said.

“But on the other side, if you want to convert a LMP2 car to LMP1 rules, you don’t need to start with a white sheet of paper. We will see.”

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