FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Frederic Lequien and IMSA President John Doonan spoke to the media following Friday’s ACO Press Conference from Le Mans.
Doonan confirmed that IMSA will extend the regulations for its premier class, GTP, through 2029 – in alignment with today’s announcement that the WEC/ACO Hypercar regulations have been extended through 2029.
“Originally ’23 to ’27, now ’23 to ’29 – so two more years,” explained Doonan. “It makes sense from a stability standpoint for those who committed early.
“I think it also creates an opportunity for some new (manufacturers) who have been investigating, coming into LMDh. The GTP racing in the WeatherTech Series has been mega, and I think it’s only going to get better. It’s encouraging.”
This extension also confirms that LMDh and Hypercar (LMH) spec vehicles will be able to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship throughout the duration of that extension.
“And certainly, we welcome LMH competitors in the ‘States,” Doonan continues. “Aston Martin has announced their intentions to come, so we certainly welcome them. That would be the first LMH car to compete in IMSA competition in the WeatherTech Series. I mean, we’d love to see some others join in this new time period as well.”
However, Doonan confirmed that IMSA will not follow the WEC’s lead and enforce manufacturers to enter a minimum of two cars in GTP in 2025.
“We haven’t committed to that yet. It doesn’t impact us right now.
“It’s really up to the manufacturers, primarily. But we also have seen capacity grids. It’s a tricky scenario, for adding more cars and adding more costs – but in the end, it’s really up to the OEMs.
This means that Aston Martin and Heart of Racing Team, for instance, will proceed with its plans to enter a single Valkyrie AMR-LMH in IMSA GTP.
“Obviously we’d love to see more, but it’s really their call,” Doonan said.
IMSA will also continue to feature the current LMP2 regulations that have been extended through 2027.
“We’ve seen a really nice growth trend in LMP2, now 13 full-season entries, which is really strong for us.
“To extend those regulations, with all the equipment and the assets and the investments that have been made by the teams – this creates additional stability there.
“There are certain LMP2 teams now that would love to be in a GTP programme or a top-category programme. So for me, this is quite good.”
Lequien, meanwhile, reinforced his satisfaction with the stability of the WEC calendar from 2024 to 2025, at eight rounds – which he along with many stakeholders in the series agree is enough.
“It’s very important to stabilise the calendar, in terms of venues, but also in terms of the number of rounds,” said the WEC CEO. “So we strongly believe that eight is, at the moment, the right number.
“We need to pay attention to the teams’ budget – this is something which is key in the WEC’s success today. I’m not saying it’s affordable, but it’s not F1 budget. Maybe it’s one of the reasons why we have such big success. It’s also very linked to the calendar and the logistic approach.
“So for all these reasons, once again, eight rounds is today the right number.
“In the future, after this period of stabilisation, if we increase the number of rounds – we would like to visit many other countries, especially in Europe.
“But at the moment we are happy with this calendar – and I know that the paddock is too.”
The current venues will also make every effort to accommodate WEC’s expanded 40-car grid for events outside of Le Mans, including the renovated Autodromo Nazionale di Imola, and Circuit of the Americas (COTA) – both of which were extended into 2025 and beyond.
“They really do understand that we need to increase the number of cars. It will be a missed opportunity not to increase the grid, so we do believe that we can do it – but we will do it with a lot of comfort for everyone.
“We are not crazy, we had a lot of discussions with them – so if we took this decision, it’s because we can do it!”
Imola has signed a four-year extension to remain on the WEC calendar through 2028, replacing Monza as the series’ long-term venue in Italy.
Terms of COTA’s extension on the calendar have been kept confidential – but the permanent circuit in Austin, Texas remains over a return to Sebring or a move to another venue such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been rumoured in recent years.
“We are satisfied by this first year of collaboration with the COTA staff. The layout of the track is fantastic, it’s a very nice place in the US.
“We need to cover the US market. So that’s the main reason why we resigned for 2025 – and I do not see any reason at the moment why we should change for the future.”
Lequien also took time to address the current LMP2 ruleset extension – and subsequently, the delay of next-gen LMP2 regulations (which are being completely re-written) to 2028.
“We have taken this decision because we have listened to the paddock. And we do believe in the future of P2,” remarked Lequien.
“We must start again with a white patch – and make a lighter car with a smaller engine, something which will be more linked to the future.”
Lequien confirmed to DSC that the current four LMP2 constructors (ORECA, Dallara, Ligier, and Multimatic) will continue to work with the ACO on the next-gen LMP2 ruleset, but declined to comment when asked if Gibson Technologies will continue to construct the next-gen LMP2 engines or if hybrid technology will be implemented.
Some questions remain regarding calendar clashes with other series.
On the IMSA side, there are only two clashing dates – the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps against the Course de Monterey at WeatherTech Laguna Seca, and the 6 Hours of Saõ Paulo against the IMSA round at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP). However, not every IMSA class will be present at those two rounds, and GTP will not race at the former Mosport circuit.
Perhaps more pressing is that the 93rd annual 24 Hours of Le Mans not only clashes with the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, but also the IndyCar Series’ 500km race at Gateway Motorsports Park, confirmed for 15 June as IndyCar made its calendar announcement on Thursday.
Five current IndyCar drivers are in this year’s Le Mans field including Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Romain Grosjean, Kyffin Simpson, and part-timers Callum Ilott and Nolan Siegel.
