Tire Warmers Could Return at Le Mans Next Year

Photo: Toyota

Tire warmer ovens could return to the FIA World Endurance Championship’s marquee event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, next year according to WEC CEO Frederic Lequien, who said a decision has not yet been taken.

Re-instated for this year’s French endurance classic based on safety-related concerns from the opening rounds of the WEC season, particularly at Spa-Francorchamps, the measure was taken as an expected one-off occurrence and not utilized at any other WEC events since.

While ruling out a reversal of its rules change ahead of the 2023 season, Lequien told reporters during a recent video conference that tire warmers could potentially be again in place for Le Mans in 2024.

“Of course Le Mans is very specific because of the difference in temperature, especially at night,” he said.

“Also the difference of categories and the difference of drivers’ skill. It’s a very big mix between some gentlemen drivers which are racing in GT and professional drivers that are racing in Hypercar plus the P2 in Le Mans.

“When you exit the pit lane at 3 a.m. and the temperatures are quite low, it’s doable. But the drivers need to integrate this and for this we need time.

“For the moment, the decision is not taken for Le Mans. But I can tell you that for the whole season, we will definitely remove the tire warmers, no question about this.

“Le Mans is so specific that I prefer to say that we need to discuss again and again and make sure it’s doable. ”

When asked when a decision would need to be made, given that the sporting regulations for the 24-hour enduro are generally released by mid-December, Lequien said it will have to come before the FIA Endurance Commission.

“It’s a decision I cannot take alone,” he said. “It’s a decision that must be discussed during the FIA Endurance Commission with many people around the table.

“It’s too early to speak about this.”

Competitors had mixed feelings over the return of tire warmers for Le Mans this year, with Hypercar class teams largely favoring the implementation.

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