WEC LMP1 cars to be given 1000bhp 'instantaneous' power limit

The change to the regulations, proposed by the Endurance Commission on safety grounds, was approved by today's FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Porsche and Toyota, which respectively run in the eight and six megajoule hybrid classes, have both confirmed the combined maximum power output of their conventional engines and hybrid systems exceeds 1000bhp without releasing specific figures.

A statement from the FIA read: "The WMSC approved the Endurance Commission's proposal to limit the releasable power for energy recovery systems in LMP1 cars on safety grounds, to avoid the possibility of deployment of an instantaneous total power (engine + hybrid) of over 1000hp."

The rule change will come into force at the same time as a reduction in the power of LMP1 internal combustion engines courtesy of a reduction in the fuel allocation for next year.

There will be a 10MJ reduction in the fuel allocation for the Le Mans 24 Hours and a pro rata decrease for other tracks.

This amount was the maximum allowed when the new P1 regulations were framed ahead of the 2014 season and it has been decided to invoke that figure because of the advances made by the manufacturers competing in the category.

It is envisaged the reduction in energy would slow the current cars by approximately four seconds per lap on the 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe at Le Mans, but it expected that manufacturers will claw some of this back with their new machinery.

There have been further amendments to the P1 rulebook concerning refuelling, bodywork, wheels, rim material, rear-view mirrors and drivers' safety equipment in the cockpit.