24h Le Mans
Season 8 of the World Endurance Championship gets underway at Silverstone on 31 August and 1 September. The British venue is also hosting the fourth round of the European Le Mans Series this week. Here’s a rundown of all you need to know ahead of the new campaign which will reach its climax at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13-14 June 2020.
1. The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to action this weekend with the 4 Hours of Silverstone. The Northamptonshire circuit will be the focal point of the endurance world with FIA WEC and ELMS on the race programme. Check out the provisional entry lists for the two events here (FIA WEC) and here (ELMS).
The 2019-20 season will again feature a double-header in the United States with the 1000 Miles of Sebring raced back-to-back with the IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring on 20-21 March 2020.
FIA WEC season 8 schedule
2. The variety of race formats will result in new strategies. The points awarded will depend on the duration of the race, as follows. At each race, the fastest qualifier in each class will receive a bonus point.
For six-hour races: 1st = 25 points, 2nd = 18, 3rd = 15, 4th = 12, 5th = 10, 6th = 8, 7th = 6, 8th = 4, 9th = 2, 10th = 1, all other classified finishers = 0.5 point.
For eight- and ten-hour races: 1st = 38 points, 2nd = 27, 3rd = 23, 4th = 18, 5th = 15, 6th = 12, 7th = 9, 8th = 6, 9th = 3, 10th = 2. One point for all other classified finishers.
For the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 1st = 50 points, 2nd = 36, 3rd = 30, 4th = 24, 5th = 20, 6th = 16, 7th = 12, 8th = 8, 9th = 4, 10th = 2. One point for all other classified finishers.
3. Pit stops
The tyres cannot be changed while refuelling.
4. Success Ballast and Success Handicap
A Success Ballast system, already introduced in ELMS this season, will be applied in LMGTE Am. Meanwhile, a Success Handicap will be implemented in LMP1. In both cases the slate will be wiped clean for the 2019-20 season finale, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
5. EOT and BOP
Equivalence of Technology (EOT) and Balance of Performance (BOP) will continue to govern the LMP1 and LMGTE Pro classes to guarantee fairer competition.
6. This season will be the final one for the premier LMP1 Hybrid and Non-Hybrid class. It will give way to the new Hypercar class from September 2020.
7. A 31-car grid will line up at Silverstone: six LMP1s, eight LMP2s, six LMGTE Pros and 11 LMGTE Ams.
The LMP1 field will comprise two Toyota TS050 Hybrids, two Rebellion R13-Gibsons and two AER-powered Ginetta G60-LT-P1s. Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin will continue to do battle in LMGTE Pro.
8. Entries
Any 2019-20 full-season entries who miss two (or more) races will forfeit their invitation to the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans.
9. The winners are...
The following titles will be awarded after the season-closing 24 Hours of Le Mans: LMP FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Champion, LMP1 FIA World Endurance Champion, GT FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Champion, GT FIA World Endurance Manufacturers’ Champion, FIA Endurance Trophies for LMP2 and LMGTE Am teams, and FIA Endurance Trophies for LMP2 and LMGTE Am Drivers.
10. Fifty-eight races have already been run in the FIA World Endurance Championship since the inaugural event, the 12 Hours of Sebring, in 2012. One FIA WEC driver has lined up ever since day one: Christian Ried.
The 2019-20 WEC guide published by Auto Hebdo (in French) is still available.
