LMP2 Driver Classifications Set to be Dropped in 2015

Photo: DPPI/Onroak Automotive

LMP2 driver classifications in the FIA World Endurance Championship are poised to be dropped next year, in an effort to boost car count and attract new rising talent to the cost-capped prototype ranks.

ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil confirmed they will propose to the elimination of the one Silver-rated driver per lineup mandate to the FIA Endurance Committee and World Council later this year, which, if approved, would see no driver restrictions in the prototype class.

“It’s our target to remove the driver classifications from LMP2,” Beaumesnil told Sportscar365. “We have a global plan for LMP2 next year in WEC. We want to attract more GP2 and World Series [by Renault]-type drivers, who really target to have a real career in motorsport.

“I think we can offer a strong opportunity in WEC by increasing the level of competition, becoming a real championship of drivers which is in the context of a world championship and to make stronger links between LMP2 drivers and LMP1 manufacturers.”

After two strong seasons with the Pro-Am driver enforcement, the LMP2 class has struggled for entries in the FIA WEC this year, with only four cars having taken part in April’s season-opener at Silverstone, with only one additional entry at Spa.

Beaumesnil said the driver classification change would only be for the FIA WEC, with the European and Asian Le Mans Series set to continue the Silver driver mandate into 2015.

Cost-capped rules, meanwhile, will also continue to be enforced in LMP2 next year, although Beaumesnil admitted that discussions are underway to increase the current $600,000 limit for a ready-to-race car due to the large-scale introduction of coupes.

“It’s quite tricky to make a coupe with the current cost [cap],” he 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