LMP2 to Get Power Decrease, Single Tire for 2020-21

Photo: MPS Agency

LMP2 cars will receive a power cut of 40 horsepower and use a single tire supplier in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season.

The changes have been made to “facilitate on-track cohabitation” with the new Hypercar class, which will replace LMP1 beginning in 2020-21.

Hypercar performance is set to be closer to LMP2 than the current LMP1 cars, necessitating measures to distance the two prototype classes on track and ensure lap times between the two don’t overlap.

LMP2 cars currently produce around 600 horsepower and will be cut back to 560 horsepower as part of the new regulation, which is expected to also be introduced into the European Le Mans Series in 2022.

It’s unclear if the Asian Le Mans Series or IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will utilize the same power adjustments in the future.

The second-tier prototype class in the WEC will also have a single tire supplier beginning in 2020-21, ending its current position as the championship’s only class with a tire war.

Michelin currently equips five teams, along with all of the cars in LMP1, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am, while Goodyear tires are used by the remaining three LMP2 cars.

Michelin has already been confirmed as the sole tire supplier for Hypercar, but it’s not yet known what brand will be used in LMP2.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.