Future of LMP1 rules for WEC being mapped out this week
The future direction of the LMP1 rule book will be mapped out in a meeting of the Endurance Commission today (Thursday)
The commission will discuss proposals from a number of working groups set up by the FIA and Le Mans 24 Hours organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which jointly write the P1 regulations.
These include when to adopt new monocoque regulations and when there will be an increase in the maximum power of the energy-retrieval systems mandatory for manufacturers competing in P1.
ACO sporting manager Vincent Beaumesnil said: "There are different scenarios that we are discussing with the manufacturers.
"All of them have voiced their opinions on when we should have new monocoques, new aero rules and new regulations on engines and hybrids, but I do not want to disclose any of that because it is confidential."
"This will be a first road map, but because it is a discussion covering the next five or six years, there could be further steps or changes along the way."
It seems near certain that the introduction of new monocoque rules will be delayed from 2017 until 2018.
Toyota Motorsport GmbH technical direct Pascal Vasselon said: "We have a working group to define the next step in terms of monocoque safety.
"It was initialy planned for 2017 and it is still possible for 2017, but it has become likely to go to 2018."
An increase in the maximum hybrid power from the current present eight megajoules, measured over a lap of Le Mans, is likely to follow some time after.
The direction of the regulations decided by the commission is set to go before October's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, at which point it should be made public.
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