In 2017, sportscar world was thrilled by the unknowns related to the introduction of all new LMP2 cars, which proved to have amazing performance, both compared to their predecessors and to LMP1 cars.

In 2018, we will live a very similar situation, although this time the revolution will happen at the very top of sportscars ladder.

With the shock followed by Porsche retirement announcement last summer and, initially, also with the uncertainty related to Toyota’s plans, sportcars world had to react trying to attract as many private teams as possible, in order to have a proper grid for 2018. To do this, the regulations ensured some incentives to allow teams and manufacturers with a small budget, compared to the one of an OEM backed team, to achieve performance that are close to that of an Hybrid LMP1 car, although using a standard powertrain.

With Toyota remaining the only LMP1 hybrid team to compete in the top class, the focus is all on the privateers and to what their level of performance could be.

The rules will ensure to non-hybrid LMP1 cars a series of breakthroughs in several key areas compared to what thy hybrids are allowed, to try to compensate for the absence of an hybrid system and the performance disadvantage that follows.

Private entered vehicles will have more freedom in terms of aerodynamics, with different rules regarding for example the design of front splitter and rear diffuser; moreover, LMP1 non-hybrid cars will have a minimum weight of 833 kg (3 kg of which reserved for the on board camera system), while hybrid cars will stay at 878 (again, 3 kg of which reserved for the on board camera). The difference of 45 kg between the two has a pretty deep impact on performance.

Finally, according to the latest agreements between FIA/ACO, Manufacturers and Teams, privateers will be allowed to use internal combustion engines only, but with a fuel flow of 110kg/h, which is nearly 10% more of what they were allowed in 2017. In terms of powertrains, the question remains of course how much power and what level of performance each of the available LMP1 engines will achieve. With the rules stating how much fuel can be used, the focus is all on efficiency, as improving this parameter means either having a higher performance or being able to drive longer with a full tank, both cases bringing their advantages in an endurance race.

For more from this story, visit DrRacings blog.

Editors Note

Last year, Andrea produced an excellent article predicting the performance of the new LMP2 cars. Despite initial interest, no publications ran with the story. However, the predictions turned out to be accurate. This LMP1 prediction is worth reading.