WEC

WEC Changes: New Requirement of Two Cars per Manufacturer in the Hypercar Class

World Endurance Championship Prepares for Grid Expansion and Rules Adjustments for the 2025 Season

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The World Endurance Championship is set to implement a rule that will require manufacturers to compete with at least two cars in the Hypercar class starting from the next season. This measure, part of a plan to expand the WEC grid to a minimum of 40 cars by 2025, would eliminate the possibility for a factory team to compete with a single car, a practice that has been employed by teams like Cadillac Racing, Iron Lynx Lamborghini, and the Heart of Racing Aston Martin team in previous and current seasons.

Changes in the WEC: New Requirement of Two Cars per Manufacturer in the Hypercar Class

The new regulation would maintain the prohibition for Hypercar manufacturers to run more than two factory cars, with the exception of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where a higher number of participants is allowed, although they do not score points for manufacturers or drivers.

This initiative aims to partially align the Hypercar class with the new LMGT3 category, which since its introduction in 2024 requires each manufacturer to be represented by a two-car team. So far, the WEC promoter and co-organizer, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, has chosen not to comment on this new regulation, which seems poised to be implemented for the next season.

Changes in the WEC: New Requirement of Two Cars per Manufacturer in the Hypercar Class

The news comes after Chip Ganassi Racing announced that their factory program with Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh in the WEC and IMSA SportsCar Championship will come to an end after 2024. It is known that General Motors' negotiations for the replacement of these programs are focused on a two-car operation.

In addition to manufacturers, independent teams like Iron Lynx and Aston Martin have expressed their plans to increase their presence with two cars in the Hypercar category for the coming seasons. This could have implications for private teams, which could see their grid spaces reduced.

Imagen de Porsche considers reducing to two drivers per car by 2025
WEC
Porsche considers reducing to two drivers per car by 2025

The changes will be announced before the end of the current WEC season.

Imagen de Porsche approaches the WEC title after winning in Fuji
WEC
Porsche approaches the WEC title after winning in Fuji

Porsche's victory in the 6 Hours of Fuji leaves them on the verge of the championship, while Ferrari leads in LMGT3

Imagen de Cadillac takes pole position at Fuji after a close qualifying session
WEC
Cadillac takes pole position at Fuji after a close qualifying session

Alex Lynn secures Cadillac's first pole position in the world endurance championship at Fuji, beating Toyota by a narrow margin.

Imagen de Toyota faces new performance restrictions at its home race at Fuji
WEC
Toyota faces new performance restrictions at its home race at Fuji

The Japanese brand will see reduced maximum power and higher minimum weight for the penultimate round of the WEC in Japan