FIA gives green light to WEC's 'hypercar' LMP1 prototype successor

The major principles of the regulations that will result in a new breed of prototype cars to replace the current LMP1 machinery were signed off by today's FIA World Motor Sport Council in the Phillippines.

Few details have been announced in the wake of the meeting.

The WMSC statement only says that the target is for manufacturer budgets to be one quarter of current levels in LMP1 and that there will be "freedom of design based on a hypercar concept".

More details will be released on Friday next week when WEC promoter the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which has formulated the regulations together with the FIA, holds its traditional press conference ahead of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The rules, which have the working title of GTP, will allow for manufacturers to give their prototype machinery the look of one of their road-going sportscars.

The intent of the new rulebook will be to maintain the current level of performance but at a substantially reduced cost.

There will be a lower level of hybrid technology allowed and it is expected that manufacturers will be able to choose a spec energy-retrieval system rather than developing their own.

The manufacturers around the table during the formulation of the new rules were Toyota, McLaren, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Ford.

A plan to "encourage the participation of more female drivers in the WEC" was also approved by the WMSC.

Further details will be announced at the ACO press conference.

The Sebring WEC round scheduled for next March will now be a 1000-mile race rather than 1500 miles

The race takes place on Friday, March 15, the day before the Sebring 12 Hours IMSA SportsCar Championship race.