A World Championship title is set to be awarded to teams instead of LMP1 manufacturers in the FIA World Endurance Championship, as part of a series of changes to the sporting regulations for the 2018/19 ‘Super Season’.
Sportscar365 has learned that a new teams’ title will replace the World Manufacturers’ Championship, which has required at least two registered manufacturers in the top prototype class.
Toyota is poised to be the only LMP1 manufacturer next season, thus resulting in the change.
It’s understood LMP1 teams will be required to register, at a cost of €200,000 ($237,000) in order to be eligible for the teams title, with the highest-placed car for each registered team scoring points.
The Drivers’ World Championship, which takes into account the overall results from each race, will remain unchanged.
It’s understood the change, already adopted by the FIA and ACO, was communicated to teams earlier this month, but is subject to approval of the World Motor Sport Council, which meets next on Dec. 6.
The FIA and ACO, meanwhile, have also clarified that OEMs will not be allowed to enter a complete car built to LMP1 non-hybrid regulations, although can supply engines to teams, as is the case today.
Additionally, the branding of a complete LMP1 non-hybrid will be permitted, as long as the chassis and engine is produced by a “private race car manufacturer” and be in compliance with the homologation for private teams.
LMP1 Non-Hybrid Regs Confirmed Through 2020/21 Season
The current LMP1 non-hybrid regulations have been confirmed through at least the next three seasons, until 2020/21.
It will include one season of eligibility alongside the planned debut of the FIA and ACO’s new set of LMP1 regulations in 2020.
LMP2 and GTE regulations, meanwhile, will be extended through the season-ending 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year past its original cycle.
The current LMP2 cycle will expire following Le Mans in 2021, with GTE at Le Mans in 2019.
It comes as a result of the WEC’s shift to a winter calendar, which sees the French endurance classic serve as the final race of each season.