World Endurance Championship to simplify qualifying for 2015
The World Endurance Championship's system of aggregate qualifying is set to be simplified for 2015
Under the current format introduced at the beginning of last season, the grid is determined by the fastest two laps set by each of a pair of drivers in a 25-minute session.
Next year, the idea is that the aggregate will be calculated by just one lap set by each driver in a slightly shorter session, most likely running to 20 minutes.
Vincent Beaumesnil, sporting manager of series organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, said: "We wanted to make it a bit more simple: having two drivers doing the qualifying is good, but why not take the average of just two laps?
"We are not doing it for sporting reasons, but some people do not understand how it works — this will be more friendly for TV."
The qualifying rules currently dictate that each car must run on the same set of tyres with both drivers, except in LMP2 due to the strict tyre limitation in that class.
The proposed introduction of tyre limits in LMP1 and the GTE divisions will mean that tyre useage in qualifying will be opened up.
The rules for GTE Am will also demand that the mandatory bronze-rated driver must take part in qualifying.
Aston Martin Racing boss John Gaw said: "The system of an average lap time works, so I'm glad we are keeping it, but I don't think it makes too much difference if it is one or two laps per driver.
"It is good that the bronze driver will have to qualify. That should have been introduced this season, but there was an objection."
LMP1 cars will be limited to six sets of tyres per race weekend and two carry-over tyres from the previous race weekend.
It is understood that the limit for GTE will be higher, while the LMP2 quota will remain at four sets and two carry-over tyres.
The proposals, along with limits set on testing in LMP1 and LMP2, will go before the next FIA World Council in early December.
Extreme Speed LMP2 team switches to World Endurance Championship
Emerson Fittipaldi set to make comeback at Brazilian WEC round
The big question concerning IMSA's new LMDh cars on their debut
The new LMDh era finally begins in earnest this weekend with the IMSA SportsCar Championship curtain-raiser at Daytona. The prospect of multiple marques going all guns blazing for victory over 24 hours is a salivating one for fans of sportscar racing, but what are the chances of the new hybrid machines (known as GTP cars Stateside) proving reliable enough to win on debut?
WRC developing experimental propulsion class
The World Rally Championship is developing a new demonstration class that will allow manufacturers and teams to develop and experiment with alternative propulsion methods.
Podcast: Daytona 24 Hours – the dawn of a new era
Whenever we see drivers climbing into the race seat of a new set of cars at the start of a new season, the atmosphere is filled with anticipation. And that’s the prospect this weekend.
Diriyah E-Prix: Buemi claims pole for 100th Formula E start in tight qualifying
Sebastien Buemi claimed pole for his 100th Formula E race, coming from behind in the opening two sectors to beat Jake Hughes in an evenly-matched Diriyah E-Prix qualifying final.
Why the WEC should make space for modern garagistes in 2023
OPINION: There is plenty of excitement over the glut of manufacturers tackling the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship this season. The selection committee is set to face headaches over who it decides to admit and who gets turned away from the 2023 entry list, but history tells us that the smaller entrants have a place
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The season just gone was a memorable one for many of our staff writers, who are fortunate enough to cover motorsport around the world. Here are our picks of the best (and in some cases, most eventful) from 2022
Is Qatar the price motorsport fans have to pay?
OPINION: Fresh from hosting a controversial 2022 football World Cup, Qatar has added its name to the 2024 World Endurance Championship calendar. Although questions may be asked about its presence on the calendar, is it simply the price to pay for having a healthy racing championship?
How Toyota defeated Alpine for the 2022 WEC title
Toyota #8 trio Brendon Hartley, Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa outscored their rivals in the last season before the World Endurance Championship’s top class gets ultra-competitive. Here's how their Hypercar battle with Alpine and the remaining class tussles played out in LMP2, GTE Pro and GTE Am
The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age
The organisers of the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship worked together to devise the popular new LMDh rule set. But to turn it from an idea into reality, some serious compromises were involved - both from the prospective LMDh entrants and those with existing Le Mans Hypercar projects...
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
The 956 set the bar at the dawn of Group C 40 years ago, and that mark only rose higher through the 1980s, both in the world championship and in the US. It and its successor, the longer-wheelbase 962, were voted as Autosport's greatest sportscar in 2020 - here's why
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
OPINION: While the focus has been on the exciting prospect of Ferrari vs Porsche at the Le Mans 24 Hours next year, BMW’s factory return to endurance racing should not be ignored. It won't be at the French classic next year as it focuses efforts on the IMSA SportsCar Championship, but could be a dark horse in 2024 when it returns to La Sarthe with the crack WRT squad
The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause
Track limits are the problem that motorsport doesn't seem to be able to rid itself of. But the use of so-called 'sausage kerbs' as a deterrent has in several instances only served to worsen the problem, and a growing number of voices want to see action taken
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.