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The rules governing the Hypercar World Endurance Championship are poised for another potential extension, which could see the current generation of vehicles competently racing until late 2032.
Frederic Lequien, the series director, shared insights with Motorsport.com regarding discussions of extending the previously announced two-year extension to 2029. He emphasized the importance of accommodating the success of the current setup and hinted at the possibility of welcoming additional manufacturers such as Hyundai, Ford, and McLaren in the near future.
“It’s vital to recognize the significance of what we currently have, which is functioning exceptionally well,” he stated. “Not considering an extension of the homologation processes would be unwise. While I can’t confirm it, it’s certainly under consideration.”
While the specifics of any potential extension remain unclear, discussions seem to be leaning towards a three-year addition to the existing rules. The regulations for Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) were first implemented in 2021, with a second entry route identified as LMDh opening in 2023.
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Initially, the five-year rules cycle for LMH was extended by two years until 2027 to align with LMDh regulations. This decision was revealed just before the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours event in 2022, coinciding with the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s announcement regarding the potential introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2028. These vehicles are envisioned to compete alongside the next generation of traditionally fueled Hypercars starting in 2030.
The proposal to delay the termination of the current rules, which would impact both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in North America, has garnered positive feedback from manufacturers. Urs Kuratle, who leads Porsche’s LMDh program, expressed his support, stating, “We are in favor of such an extension, which would benefit all manufacturers involved in both championships. While we’re aware of the discussions taking place, we have yet to engage directly in these talks.”
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Olivier Jansonnie, the technical director at Peugeot Sport, echoed similar sentiments. He pointed out that with new manufacturers joining the WEC in 2027, a limited three-year racing window could hinder their ability to capitalize on their investments. “It would certainly make sense to extend the timeline,” he noted, though he added that there has been no formal discussion regarding the precise terms of any extension.
One point of uncertainty is whether the current rules for LMH and LMDh will converge during this proposed extension period. Nevertheless, manufacturers seem to share a consensus advocating for a unified platform in future regulations. “The presence of two formats is not ideal,” Kuratle remarked. “A collaborative discussion involving all parties could yield a common set of rules that would enhance the sport.”
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Jansonnie also emphasized the importance for Peugeot of maintaining autonomy over their chassis and hybrid powertrain development—features permitted under LMH regulations. This flexibility contrasts with the LMDh format, where manufacturers must build their cars around a predetermined chassis design provided by licensed constructors, alongside using standardized energy recovery systems.
He indicated that transitioning away from front-axle hybrid drive would not pose a significant barrier for Peugeot. “Even if regulations shifted towards two-wheel drive, the inherent design freedom of the LMH framework would accommodate that change comfortably,” he stated.
Additionally, the timeline for implementing a hydrogen-powered class—permitting both internal combustion and fuel cell vehicles—remains uncertain, with no concrete regulations established yet. Toyota has expressed interest in utilizing hydrogen fuels in the WEC, showcasing their GR H2 concept at Le Mans in 2023. Nevertheless, the company has articulated the challenges of meeting the 2028 timeline without existing regulatory frameworks. Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe’s technical director, David Floury, indicated that preparing a competitive vehicle by the anticipated start date would be “extremely challenging.”
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