FIA Approves ‘Regs Amendment’ for LMH, LMDh Convergence

Photo: MPS Agency

The process of achieving convergence between the Le Mans Hypercar and LMDh platforms has taken a significant step forward following confirmation by the FIA of a “technical regulations amendment” reached ahead of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship seasons.

Announced during Thursday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Monaco, the FIA, ACO and IMSA have settled on a yet-to-be-disclosed agreement that will allow the two top-class platforms to “achieve performance convergence.”

Initially announced at Daytona in January 2020, work has been ongoing to bring the two platforms together into a single category, which will be regulated through a Balance of Performance process.

Sportscar365 understands a meeting in Paris last month initially outlined the areas where compromises needed to be achieved for convergence to happen.

This is largely believed to be around the LMH car’s front-axle hybrid regeneration, which provides an advantage in braking and cornering speeds when compared to the LMDh’s rear-wheel mounted spec hybrid system.

The governing bodies have yet to release any details of the “regulations amendment” that it has reached, nor details if LMH cars will be allowed to compete in the WeatherTech Championship.

The development comes amid increased manufacturer commitments to both platforms, including Ferrari joining Toyota, Peugeot and Glickenhaus with LMH machinery and the recent confirmation of BMW to join the LMDh ranks alongside the previously announced efforts from Acura, Audi and Porsche.

It’s understood additional LMDh manufacturers are set to be announced in the coming weeks, including Cadillac.

Thursday’s announcement has been applauded by Head of Porsche Motorsport Fritz Enzinger.

“We very welcome the convergence between LMDh and LMH. Thanks to FIA WEC and IMSA officials,” he said. “This will create a great show for the fans around the world. We are very looking forward to step in prototype racing again.”

New LMP2 Regulations Confirmed for 2024

The FIA has also confirmed that the next-gen LMP2 regulations, which will be based off the LMDh chassis, will not come until 2024, as widely expected.

Initially, the new regs were due for a debut in 2023, a timeline established prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to industry-wide delays including the initial rollout date for LMDh.

A statement in the WMSC confirmed that “existing LMP2 technical regulations will be retained until the end of 2023.”

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