- Best 2 lap average instead of 4 for the 2 drivers from each entry
- Session time reduced to 20 minutes
The FIA World Endurance Championship sporting regulations are constantly evolving and there are several important additions and amendments for the coming season. The ACO and the FIA, through the Endurance Commission, are constantly striving to provide a clear, fair and consistent set of rules which allow competitors and fans to understand and enjoy the thrills of endurance racing.
QUALIFYING
One of the important differences which will be seen in 2015 is the change to the qualifying format. Two drivers still have to take part during the session, which has been reduced from 25 to 20 minutes, but instead of an average time set with the two best laps by each driver (an average of four laps), it is now the average of the best lap set by each driver (an average of two laps).
LMP1 ENGINES
For 2015 LMP1 hybrid competitors will be limited to five engines per car for the entire 2015 season. Nissan, which is entering the FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Championship for the first time in 2015, will be allowed 7 engines for the complete season. Race-by-race entries in the LMP1 (hybrid) category will be limited to a maximum of two engines per car per event.
TYRES
The use of slick tyres will be limited for each of the 6-hour events – these new rules do not apply to the 24 Heures du Mans.
The LMGTE Pro and Am teams will be limited to four sets of slick tyres during Free Practice and six sets during the qualifying sessions and races at seven rounds of the championship (all except Le Mans).
LMP2 teams will be limited to three sets during Free Practice and four sets during qualifying / races.
LMP1 teams will be limited to four sets of slicks during Free Practice and six sets for qualifying and the race with the exception of Shanghai and Bahrain where eight sets will be allowed.
Each team in all four categories are allowed to change two single tyres without penalty in case of punctures or damage during the weekend. There is no limit to the number of wet weather tyres that can be used during the weekend.
LMP1 AVERAGE DRIVER WEIGHT
LMP1 entrants must declare the minimum weight of each driver entered. If the average weight of the drivers is 80kg or more no action is necessary. If the average weight of the driver line-up in each LMP1 car is less than 80kg, driver ballast must be added to the car which will equal 80kg minus the actual average weight of the drivers.
LMP1
In 2015 LMP1 cars will be known as ‘hybrid’ and ‘non hybrid’ instead of LMP1-H and LMP1-L. There will still be an FIA Endurance Trophy for Privateer LMP1 Drivers and Teams.
LIMITATION OF PERSONNEL
The number of operational personnel that any competitor entered into the Manufacturers World Endurance Championship can take to WEC events after the 2015 24 Heures du Mans will be limited to 65 people for a two-car team and 90 for a three-car team.
TESTING
The number and type of private tests that can be undertaken by competitors in LMP1 and LMP2 have been updated for 2015. The allocation is such that one car per test day equals one unit (car/days) and two cars per test day equals two units (car/days). The numbers of car/days now allowed are as follows:-
For LMP1 competitors only
For LMP2 competitors only
For LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am competitors only
END OF SEASON ROOKIE TEST
A Rookie Test, which will take place on a date and at a location to be confirmed later this year, is mandatory for competitors entered in the FIA World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship with at least one car.
For a copy of the 2015 FIA WEC Sporting Regulations CLICK HERE
