What's New to the WEC in 2024: Innovation and Regulations Update

source: https://www.fiawec.com/en/classes/32

Update on the FIA World Endurance Championship

We've observed remarkable growth in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2024 season, particularly with the Hypercar category witnessing an unprecedented increase to 19 entries. This escalation reflects the appeal and competitiveness of the championship, attracting prestigious brands such as Alpine, BMW, Isotta Fraschini, and Lamborghini. They join the ranks of Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, and Toyota to showcase their high-performance vehicles on the world stage.

Moving on to the LMGT3 category, WEC is embracing a new era with the integration of 18 competitors adhering to the established GT3 technical specifications. This shift underscores the commitment to offering a platform for amateur drivers and private teams to compete at a high level. The series' adaptations for these vehicles, including enhanced visibility features and standard Goodyear tyres, aim to maintain the competitive edge while offering a unique flair to the WEC.

New Tracks

The journey across the globe will now encompass five continents, including an exciting return to South America. Adding to the rich itinerary are two debut circuits in Lusail, Qatar, and Imola, Italy. These venues join the longstanding circuits like Le Mans and Fuji which have become synonymous with endurance racing excellence.

Also, in 2024, WEC is refining the qualifying experience for both Hypercar and LMGT3 classes by introducing a two-session format. This includes a standard 12-minute qualifier, culminating in a tense 10-minute Hyperpole shootout to cement the top grid positions.

New Virtual Safety Car System

There is also a new Virtual Safety Car system, augmenting existing safety measures. In the event an incident occurs, this system allows for a controlled slowdown across the field, ensuring that the scene can be managed with minimized risk to personnel and drivers alike.