During the 2016 FIA WEC Prologue the ACO met with current LMP1 Privateer teams, Rebellion Racing and ByKolles along with representatives from Onroak Automotive, AER, Strakka Racing, Oreca, SMP Racing, Gibson and Engine Developments (Judd).
While little noise has been made about the future of the LMP1-P class of late, there was a sense of emergency over the Prologue weekend, with the ACO reportedly asking attendees to go away and highlight eight areas where performance could be gained in an effort to closing the gap to the LMP1-Hybrid classes.
Attendees were asked to report back in a week with cost-effective suggestions; some of which may centre around more powerful-spec engines, DRS and weight reduction.
Engines will be a major factor given the LMP2 class will receive a 100bhp boost for 2017 via the Gibson V8 powerplant; putting them around the 600 bhp, coming close to the AER P60 direct injection twin-turbocharged V6’s used in both the Rebellion and ByKolles cars.
There were rumours last year of optioning the Cosworth designed Nissan twin turbo V6 (used in the now sidelined GT-R LM project) as a LMP1-P spec engine, however packaging the engine into both cars and maintaining the right amount of heat-rejection could be determining factors for its success, not just for Rebellion and ByKolles, but any further teams expressing an interest.
Reducing minimum weight would provide an all-round benefit for privateer teams unable to compete with current LMP1 aero development and so to would the possibility of movable aero devices – which could be used at any point of a circuit. This however would contradict slightly with the ACO’s incentive to cut down on cornering speeds at Le Mans.
The argument mirrors that of the idea thrown up to introduce GT3 cars into GTLM as a cost-effective introduction to Le Mans. While the LMP1 factory teams in this case would see the benefit of bolstering numbers, it would also negate the green-image being pushed by the premiere WEC class.
Rebellion driver Nicolas Prost welcomed the idea of weight reduction and more power for LMP1 privateers, saying: “It’s a very complicated situation for Rebellion, so we need to have a break so we can be closer to the hybrids if we want to remain in this championship. Otherwise I think it will be our last season in WEC.”
“There are other really interesting championships like in America", he said.
"Like the United Sports Car Championship. That would definitely the choice for Rebellion if they were to quit WEC.”
LMP1 Privateers to get a boost?
Images Rebellion Racing and ByKolles Racing