FIA/ACO: “No Decision” on Use of Success Handicap in Hypercar

Photo: Fabrizio Boldoni/DPPI

The FIA and ACO have stated that “no decision” has been made on whether success handicaps will be introduced into the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship next year, amid a provision in the 2026 sporting regulations that would allow the governing bodies to utilize such a measure.

Confirmed in the publication of the 2026 sporting regs last Friday, the system, which would use power and/or weight adjustments for the top class, appeared to indicate its inclusion to the world championship next year, given that the LMGT3 class is already controlled with similar measures.

However, clarification provided by the FIA and ACO on Friday indicate that a final decision has yet to be taken on its possible use in the Hypercar class for next year.

“As per the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship Sporting Regulations, the Success Handicap, already in place in the LMGT3 class in the previous years, may also be applied in the Hypercar class, with the exception of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, if deemed necessary by WEC’s regulatory bodies (the FIA and the ACO) before the start of the season,” the joint statement, provided to Sportscar365, read.

“No decision has been made at this stage, and the provision has been introduced only to allow the possibility of inclusion of such an adjustment as part of the performance balancing process in 2026.

“The exact details of the performance balancing process will be determined before the first timed session of the Prologue, the official pre-season test, which is set to take place at Lusail International Circuit one week before the 2026 season-opening Qatar 1812 km race.

“The 2026 performance balancing process is being developed with full transparency and in close collaboration with the manufacturers involved in WEC’s Hypercar class.”

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