New LMP2 Regulations Delayed Until 2025

Photo: MPS Agency

The introduction of new LMP2 regulations have been delayed until 2025, the FIA confirmed during Saturday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Bahrain.

The delay, which has been widely speculated within the industry, has been made in order to allow “enough time for a thorough revision of technical conditions, ensure cost control targets are reached” and “allow for a stable transition from the current generation of LMP2 cars” according to a statement from the FIA.

The LMP2 platform is currently eligible in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European and Asian Le Mans Series as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

ACO competition director Thierry Bouvet told reporters at Sebring International Raceway earlier this week that a delay was likely.

It was originally due to debut in 2024, one year after the launch of LMDh machinery, which are built around the same chassis from the four licensed constructors.

Bouvet confirmed that tenders for the single-supply engine and tires have not yet occurred.

“I think the key point for [the new] LMP2, for us, is cost,” Bouvet said. “Maybe more than cost: the ratio of performance and cost needs to be strong. that’s what we get from the teams and chassis constructors.

“Everything is being looked at to reduce the costs.”

It’s been suggested that among the cost-cutting items for the new regulations could be a move to steel brakes.

“It depends how you use carbon brakes,” Bouvet said. “If you use them up to the end, or if you put new carbon brakes on every race, you will see a different cost.

“If you use them to the end, the costs are not so different to steel brakes.”

When asked if the FIA and ACO could utilize other forms of cost-savings measures seen in LMP3, Bouvet said : “If that’s the route to find out how to reduce costs… at the end of the day, we need to make a car which is attractive for the end-user: teams or gentleman drivers.

“It has to be a nice car to drive. We got the feeling that LMP3 is a nice car, but obviously there is a step between LMP3 and LMP2. There is a step to be taken care of.”

Bouvet said the design of LMP2 cars are “still not defined” but hinted that it could look “different and refreshing” to what’s seen today with the current platform that’s been in use since 2017.

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